Conversation with the Young Artist of the Year
Meet the Young Artist of the Year Kai Mikkel Balto for a conversation about his work.
This is a great opportunity for our audience to get to know the person behind the art. Balto is a duojár (craftsperson) and visual artist from Tromsø with a great passion for artistic expression with a queer theme.
The conversation is held in cooperation with the Lásságámmi foundation
The conversation will be held in Norwegian
About Kai Mikkel Balto:
Kai Mikkel Balto (24) from Tromsø er has been named «Young Artist of the Year» av Riddu Riđđu. Balto is a Sámi visual artist who wishes to push the boundaries of traditional duodji/handicraft with a queer expression, and to explore Sámi queerness through his art.
He finds inspiration in Sámi design, which has contributed to his growing interest in duodji. The young artist wishes to explore and develop his artistic expression through being Young Artist of the Year at Riddu Riđđu.
Balto holds a Bachelor's degree in digital art and animation from the Inland Norwegian University of Applied Sciences, and has recently completed a year at Sámij áhpadusguovdásj in order to learn garraduodji (Sámi handicraft). He wishes to develop his work as an artist through a mixture of visual arts and duodji.