Young artist of the year 2026
Aarni Pieski is Riddu Riđđu’s young artist of the year in 2026.
Aarni Pieski (23) from Ohcejohka and Helsinki is appointed “Young Artist of the Year” by Riddu Riđđu. Pieski is a sámi multidisciplinary artist, working across performance art, film, literature and visual art.
Through their artistic practice, Pieski explores the dynamics between identity, history and belonging, with a particular focus on queer sámi perspectives. Pieski highlights queer sámi history, which is often absent from public sámi discourse, and contributes to expanding the understanding of what sámi identity can include.
- I’m very honoured to get this acknowledgement and so excited for this opportunity to strengthen my artistic practice and my bonds with the Sámi and Indigenous art field, which feels very important to me, Aarni shares.
Already during this year’s Riddu Riđđu festival can the audience get to know this year’s young artist better. Through an artist talk, the audience will gain a deeper insight into Aarni’s artistic practice.
Sajje Solbakk, Festival Director, welcomes the new appointment:
- Aarni works across disciplines in a way that reflects the complexity of Sápmi. He brings forward stories and perspectives we need more of, both within the sámi public sphere and in society at large. We are very proud of this appointment and look forward to following Pieski’s continued development over the coming year.
The jury's reasoning:
“Pieski distinguishes himself through a strong and distinct artistic practice in which storytelling plays a central role. The jury would also like to emphasize the perspective from the Finnish side of Sápmi, as well as the experience of growing up Sámi in an urban context far from traditional Sámi areas. This is an important and underrepresented voice that we wish to bring forward.
The jury sees his artistic practice as both mature and rapidly evolving, and looks forward to following his work further, as well as seeing how it can develop in dialogue with Riddu Riđđu’s network.”
The jury consist of Sajje Solbakk, Erle Bårdsdatter Sæther and Ann Cecilie Hætta, working in collaboration with the music and performing arts committee, Bernt Bjørn, Knut Åserud and Petra Laiti
Riddu Riđđu`s talent program
Riddu Riđđu's Young Artist of the Year is an initiative that each year appoints a young Sámi artist to present their art through Riddu Riđđu's festival program and other events where Riddu Riđđu is a co-organizer. In addition to receiving a scholarship of 25,000 NOK, Riddu's Young Artist of the Year receives a sponsored stay at Lásságámmi, the artist residence of multi-artist Nils-Aslak Valkeapää. Aarni Pieski will kick off the year as young artist of the year during Riddu Riđđu festival this summer. He will be taking over the title after ElleMina Kuoljok Baer.
The Young Artist of the Year/Riddu Sessions is supported by Talent Norge, Samfunnsløftet and Lássagámmi.