Tomas Colbengtson

Tomas Colbengtson (b. 1957, Björkvattnet, Tärnaby) explores memory, history, and questions of repatriation and decolonisation. His work draws on personal experiences and traditional Sámi craftsmanship, where knowledge and stories have been passed down through generations. This craftsmanship embodies experiences of a life lived close to nature and an understanding of humanity’s dependence on and interaction with its surroundings.

A recurring theme in Colbengtson’s work is the belief that all living things possess a spiritual dimension, alongside questions of how this knowledge and these experiences can be passed on to future generations. At the same time, he highlights how Sámi objects and cultural heritage have long been collected and, in many cases, removed by museums and the Church. Against this backdrop, art becomes a means of reclaiming and passing on what has been lost, while also making visible the experiences of having been excluded from the shaping of society. His work seeks to foster an understanding of history and to reflect on how a more just and democratic society can be created.

Tomas Colbengtson has exhibited in more than 20 countries, and his works are represented in collections including Tate Collection and the British Museum in London, Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, Nasjonalmuseet in Oslo, Wanås Konst, and Ájtte Museum in Jokkmokk. In 2024, he was awarded the prestigious Queen Sonja Print Award for his artistic practice in printmaking. The award represents international recognition of his work and his contribution to contemporary printmaking.

Current exhibitions:
Our Stories – Duo exhibition with Britta Marakatt-Labba at Galleri Helle Knudsen, Stockholm, Sweden, 6 November – 5 December 2026
Through Our Eyes: Sámi Art and Culture – Group exhibition at Somerset House, London, UK, 6 November 2026 – 7 February 2027
We Who Remain – Group exhibition at The Sámi Museum Siida, Inari, Finland, 14 October 2026 – 4 April 2027