Welcome to the opening of the art exhibition I'm a Sámi Boy at 6:00 PM! 

The exhibition is an interdisciplinary art project that explores Sámi masculinity through duodji (Sámi handcraft), queer art, performance, and film. 

The exhibition I'm a Sámi Boy presents works by several artists, with duojár (Sámi handcrafter) and visual artist Kai Mikkel Balto as the main artist. Balto was named Young Artist of the Year 2024 at Riddu Riđđu and has thus been given this opportunity. 

I'm a Sámi Boy invites young Sámi artists to comment on macho culture and gender roles in Sápmi. Join an important conversation about gender, identity, and power in Sápmi. This is not just an exhibition, but an invitation to open dialogue about these themes. 

Riddu Sessions 2025: 

In 2024, Kai Mikkel Balto was named Young Artist of the Year by the Riddu Riđđu Festivála and has since participated in Riddu Sessions, the festival’s program for emerging Sámi artists. 

This year’s Riddu Sessions is an art exhibition titled I'm a Sámi Boy by Kai Mikkel Balto, which also serves as the official festival exhibition of Riddu Riđđu Festivála 2025. 

Through Riddu Sessions, the audience gets to know the breadth of Balto’s work in duodji and visual art. 

Biography: 

Kai Mikkel Balto (25) is a duojár and visual artist from Tromsø with a strong engagement in queer-themed artistic expression. He draws inspiration from Sámi design, which has contributed to his growing interest in duodji. Balto holds a bachelor’s degree in Digital Art and Animation from Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences and recently completed a year at Samernas Utbildningscentrum to study garraduodji (Sámi handcraft). He explores his artistry through a combination of visual art and duodji. 

The exhibition is open until 8:00 PM today. Otherwise, it can be visited from Thursday to Saturday between 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.