Statement from the jury:
"The jury expresses deep admiration for Tomas Colbengtson’s exploration of printmaking within a practice that transcends the boundaries of art to gain socio-political relevance. A Sámi artist, Colbengtson utilizes the printed medium to address societal issues faced by indigenous communities, promting reflections on history and questioning its truths. His distinctive approach to printmaking pushes boundaries by incorporating performative elements into his creations, which he often locates within Sámi landscapes. Through his work, he reclaims them as lived indigenous spaces for the present and future.
With a career spanning over three decades, Colbengtson has consistently and fearlessly explored new forms of printed media and materials. From overlay glass to metal printing, etching, and digital art forms, he experiments to construct a language that captures the partial loss and contemporary recovery of Sámi identity and ways of life. The jury emphasizes the significance of Colbengtson’s powerful and thought-provoking message, which extends beyond the local context and resonates with equivalent movements across the world."
Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway said: “I am delighted that this year the award has gone to a Sami artist. Tomas Colbengtson’s work is already represented in museum collections and I hope this prize will make his work known even more widely internationally.”