Gulahallat: an exhibition exploring Sámi contemporary art at the Finnish Institute

Sami contemporary art takes center stage at the Finnish Institute this autumn, with a new free exhibition titled "Gulahallat." Make your way to the Nordic Cultural Centre until October 24, 2026 to discover the works and craftsmanship of around a dozen Sami artists, including Hildá Länsman, Outi Pieski, and Marja Helander.

For an artistic journey to the heart of Lapland without leaving the capital, head to the Finnish Institute! Nestled in Paris’s 5th arrondissement, this Nordic cultural center showcases Finnish culture year-round through film screenings, its Café Maa, and also exhibitions.

This season, the Finnish Institute presents "Gulahallat", a compact exhibition exploring contemporary Sámi art, staged as part of the Paris Design Week. "Gulahallat", in Northern Sámi, evokes dialogue, understanding, and the importance of being heard. This free admission exhibition is a chance to discover the richness of Sámi art through the works of around ten artists, including Tomas Colbengtson, photographer Marja Helander, the poet, musician and activist Niillas Holmberg, Jouni S. Laiti, and the singer-musician who practices joik, Hildá Länsman.

Tomas Magnusson, an archaeologist and researcher specializing in Sami cultural heritage, Eeva-Kristiina Nylander, but also Outi Pieski, a specialist in visual art, as well as Lada Suomenrinne and Liselotte Wajstedt are taking part in this unprecedented exhibition, which aims to immerse you in the rich Sami culture.

Unlike the Swedish Institute or the Canadian Cultural Centre, the Finnish Institute does not boast large exhibition halls. The works on display are therefore limited and mainly shown in the lobby, at the gallery-shop level. Here you can discover a duodji collection, the renowned Sámi traditional craft. From kuksa, the famous wooden cup, to handbags, teething rings, and traditional scarves… the Finnish Institute reveals a suite of striking artisanal pieces, offered for sale throughout the run of the exhibition "Gulahallat". But be warned: to buy one, you’ll need to loosen your purse strings. Blending ancient techniques with contemporary design, these items come with premium prices. Expect around €576 for a handbag or €540 for a traditional beanie/beerier.

Photos by Marja Helander from the Rovaniemi Art Museum are also to be admired. In the basement, the 24-minute film "Dans ma main" by Marja Helander & Liselotte Wajstedt is shown on a continuous loop. Finally, in the Café Maa room, a sublime and imposing work by Outi Pieski and Eeva Kristiina Nyland has been hung. Drawn from the Sámi Siida Museum's collection in Inari, this piece spotlights the traditional horned headdress of Sami women, the ládjogahpir, the horned cap of Sami women.

Very small, this exhibition is a quick visit, for example if you plan to drop by Café Maa to savor a karjalanpiirakka or enjoy a coffee. But this installation, which shines a light on the often overlooked art of the Sámi people, should also pique the curiosity of Arctic enthusiasts and of this Indigenous community that continues to live in harmony with nature, as reflected by the works on display. This invitation to encounter and listen is to be explored until 24 October 2026 at the Finnish Institute. To go further, the cultural center offers an associated program, blending a gastronomic dinner, a concert and Sámi films.