Polar Outreach Catalogue

The touring exhibit Hommage à Iver Jåks: Small Works that Reflect Great Artistry opened at Tromsø Art Gallery in August 2008 and has since been on the road. A large audience has viewed the exhibit and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. It is perhaps the most unique IPY outreach project.

This touring exhibit pays homage to and commemorates the Sámi artist Iver Jåks (1932-2007), and is a collaboration between Nordnorsk Kunstnersenter (the Artists’ Center of Northern Norway), RiddoDuottarMuseat – the Sámi Museum, the Sámi Artists’ Center, and the Savio Museum. In addition to the artworks, 30 of which are mounted on bases, the exhibit package includes a video, a 60-page catalogue and banners – all packed in crates for transport.

A total of 62 artists – several of whom were students of Jåks at the art school in Kabelvåg – contributed miniature works. Jåks is best known for his small sculptures, which are heavily influenced by the traditional Sámi handicraft duodji and which comprise the starting point of the exhibit. His smallest sculpture measured an incredible 2 x 2 x 2.5 cm, and none of the works in the exhibit are larger than 20 x 20 x 20 cm.