Anders Sunna’s art exhibition aroused protests

Artist Anders Sunna’s exhibition « Meän Meän Sápmelaš » at Kulturens Hus in Luleå has been reported from several directions in recent weeks. Partly by the Swedish Tornedalings National Association-Tornionlaaksolaiset, STR-T, as reported the artist for slander and incitement against people grouppartly by a private person who reported slander of the deceased. The prosecutor has now launched a preliminary investigation into incitement against people.

On Thursday, a conversation was organized with the artist in Kulturens Hus in Luleå. Outside, about fifteen people had gathered on the stairs with signs with messages such as « art should not offend » to protest against artist Anders Sunna’s art exhibition.

« It breathes aggression and hatred against the Tornedal, Kvänska and Lantalaisian minority, » says Eva Kvist, operations manager at the Swedish Tornedalings National Association-Tornionlaaksolaiset, STR-T.

She is depicted herself On one of the artwork, sitting on a death, bloody clean, wearing the Tornedals suit. This particular picture is the reason why the union has reported the police Anders Sunna.

Next to her on Thursday’s protest stood Annette Kohkoinen, vice chairman of the STR-T and library developer at Kulturens Hus. She herself has not seen the exhibition, she does not want to go in there.

– I do not feel that I am welcome and I definitely can’t bring my children here, what should I tell them when we see artwork with Eva where she sits on a clean and pulls out intestines? she says and continues:

– The exhibition is about power, and I understand, but whose power? Minorities are rarely in position of power, not least we who are very invisible, she says.

During the call held Anders Sunna received a number of questions about his thoughts on the portrayal of the minority. To DN he says it is difficult to answer questions as he does not want to occur the police investigation that is ongoing:

– It is a pity that you report to the police before making contact to talk. I recommend that you report the police afterwards, then you can get the answers first without me not having to relate to the police.

Through the exhibition he highlights his own background as Same and Tornedaling, but he wishes that the discussion about the individual works would instead be about the state’s treatment of Sweden’s minorities.

– Art can make people talk about the problems, and everyone knows what is the problem. But the state is not stupid, but has been around for so long so they know how to work.

He says the reactions Generally, has been positive and that many have heard of:

– Most from Tornedalen actually. There have been several who have been incredibly supportive, told about their story and I have told me about mine. It has been very good.

STR-T has also sent a letter to Luleå Municipality’s politicians in which they write that people « have felt ill at ease and strongly offended by the disrespect that in Anders Sunna’s artwork is directed at the minority ». They question why the municipality takes a stand for an artist who is the subject of a criminal investigation.

– We as politicians will never go in and control artistic content. But our general attitude is, of course, that minorities’ rights are incredibly important in Luleå municipality, says Evelina Rydec (MP), municipal council in Luleå.

STR-T thinks you take a stand for the artist, do you do it?

– No, we never decide on artistic content and so it should remain. We should never in any way take a stand for or receive artistic content. I know that there is a discussion around Sweden about politicians who question art, but we do not.

The municipal council met with, among others, Eva Kvist after the artist call to answer the union’s questions.

– It was rock hard response – arm’s length. There had been a hook cross on the walls and was about any minority. I have a hard time believing in it, says Eva Kvist.

READ MORE: Artist and Luleå Municipality is reported to the police for « macabre » artwork