Lars Levi Sunna: Crafting a Sámi Presence in the Swedish State Church

Authors

  • Thomas A. DuBois Department of Scandinavian Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33356/temenos.7508

Abstract

The article explores the intertwined religious and artistic viewpoints of contemporary Sámi artist Lars Levi Sunna of Kiruna, Sweden. Sunna self-consciously situates his artwork within a personal and familial history that centers around traditional Sámi livelihoods and the practice of handicraft (duodji). Through his duodji-inspired picto- rial art and art installations, Sunna chronicles a personal exploration that involved learning about his people’s pre-Christian religious traditions and consciously making a place for them within his life and work, while maintaining his identity as a Laestadian Christian.

Keywords: Sámi, handicraft, duodji, Laestadianism, Lars Levi Sunna, shamanism

Author Biography

Thomas A. DuBois, Department of Scandinavian Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Professor at the Department of Scandinavian Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison

 

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Published

2013-01-07

How to Cite

DuBois, T. A. (2013). Lars Levi Sunna: Crafting a Sámi Presence in the Swedish State Church. Temenos - Nordic Journal for the Study of Religion, 48(2). https://doi.org/10.33356/temenos.7508

Issue

Section

Articles