House of Sweden | Arctic Highways

Arctic Highways features artwork and handicrafts by twelve Indigenous artists from Sápmi, Canada and Alaska. Even as national borders have separated Indigenous peoples and, at times, pitted them against each other, their culture and art have traveled effortlessly across the Arctic landscape through the movements of the wind, sun and reindeer herds, creating a network of Arctic highways. Despite living in different countries and on different continents, the Indigenous people of the Arctic highways still regard themselves as peoples with kindred spirits. In Arctic Highways, these artists ask visitors to embark on a journey along the Arctic highways of culture and life that stretches from the past into the future, without ever passing a border.

“I am proud and honored to host Arctic Highways here at House of Sweden in Washington, DC as it makes its world debut before it continues touring the rest of North America and Europe,” says Karin Olofsdotter, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States. “Arctic Highways is an important exhibition that teaches us about the history and culture of Indigenous peoples through their own words and artistic expressions. Their art encourages us to reflect on the meaning of borders and it offers a glimpse of what is happening in the world of Arctic art, life and Sami handcraft.”

Arctic Highways is curated by Tomas Colbengtson, Gunvor Guttorm, Dan Jåma and Britta Marakatt-Labba, and made possible by the generous support of Jan Wejdmark. The exhibition makes its world debut at House of Sweden where it will be on display through July 17, 2022.

House of Sweden is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday between 12:00pm to 5:00pm. For more information about current and upcoming exhibitions, visit the House of Sweden’s website.

House of Sweden is located at 2900 K Street NW.