Sonja Siltala has been taking pictures of Kvens, or descendants of Finnish immigrants to ”Ruija” (North Norway), in Finnmark and Troms since 2001. Through her portraits, the photographer attempts to highlight the Kven culture through individuals.
This has been a challenging, slowly progressing, occasionally icy – but, above all, interesting – adventure among people between the mountains and the sea ….
Sonja Siltala
People we meet in the exhibition all reside in central Kven areas and have Kven as their mother tongue. Many earn their living in traditional occupations.
Sonja Siltala has used her personal network, along with a direct approach, to establish contact with Kvens. According to the photographer, these approaches have been greeted with friendliness and hospitality.
