This publication accompanies Ikon’s exhibition ‘Under the Vast Sky’, 23rd Feb – 29 May 2022 by renowned Sámi (Swedish) artist Britta Marakatt-Labba.

The catalogue begins with a foreword by Jonathan Watkins, Ikon’s Director, which explains why the exhibition was held at Ikon Gallery and provides a concise overview of Marakatt-Labba’s work.

Following this, an essay by Jan-Erik Lundström, former director of the Sámi Center for Contemporary Art, Karasjok, Norway, explores Marakatt-Labba’s recent work (since 2010) and how these compare to her earlier, now iconic embroidered pieces.

Lundström explores how Marakatt-Labba’s work reflects on Sámi culture, history and cosmology as well as climate change and terrorism.

A poem by Linnea Axelsson, a Sámi poet, concludes the catalogue. Axelsson uses Marakatt-Labba’s artwork as a tool to explore life in Northern Sweden and Sámi ways of life.

English and Sámi (Swedish) text.