Kumu’s new exhibition explores the complex journey of the Saami

On Friday 11 September 2026, Kumu opened the international group exhibition ‘no beginning, no end: Decolonial Gestures in Sámi Worldbuilding’, which explores the complex journey towards the establishment of the rights and self-determination of the Saami indigenous peoples.

The politicisation of Saami art, which began in the 1960s and 1970s and developed alongside the Saami self-determination movement, has once again attracted widespread attention over the last decade.

The exhibition’s title, ‘No Beginning, No End’, is taken from an interview with one of the best-known Saami artist, musician and writer, Nils-Aslak Valkeapää, who states that just as he himself has no beginning and no end, there is no beginning or end to his self-expression as a creator.

Today, the voice of Saami artists has become one of the most prominent and dynamic elements of contemporary art in the Nordic countries and has increasingly come to the fore on the international art scene as well.

The exhibition features works by both pioneers of socially critical art and artists from the younger generation.

Participating artists: Carola Grahn, Snowchange: Pauliina Feodoroff & Kaisu Mustonen, Marja Helander, Kalli Kalde, Ketlin Kuusing, Jenni Laiti & Invisible Flock, Britta Marakatt-Labba, Hans Ragnar Mathisen, Alo Paistik, Outi Pieski, Suohpanterror, Lada Suomenrinne.

The exhibition has been created in dialogue with the exhibition curated by Linda Kaljundi, ‘Expedition: Finno-Ugrians and the Power of the Image’ (2 October 2026–21 February 2027). Both form part of the joint multi-year research project “Expedition” by the Art Museum of Estonia, the Estonian Academy of Arts and the Estonian National Museum, which analyses our relationships with indigenous peoples and the impact of these relationships on Estonians’ self-image.

The exhibition will remain open until 14 March.