Ingunn Utsi facts for kids

Ingunn Utsi (born in 1948) is a talented artist from Norway. She is a Sami sculptor, painter, and book illustrator. She comes from a place called Repvågstranda in Nordkapp Municipality, Norway. In 2019, she became an honorary member of the Sami Cultural Association. This was to celebrate her important work for Sami culture. One of her famous artworks is a sculpture called Gudni II (which means Homage II). She made it in 2016 from a pine tree trunk in Ii, Finland.

Early Life and Education

Ingunn Utsi was born in November 1948. Her family lived near Repvågstranda in Nordkapp Municipality. Her parents spoke only Sami at home. They believed it was important for her to learn and use her native language. She might have been the last child in her area to grow up speaking Sami. Most children born after 1953 were raised speaking Norwegian.

School Days

In 1955, Ingunn started attending a Norwegian-speaking boarding school. It was in Repvågstranda. Her older brother, Oliver, helped her learn Norwegian. The school closed in 1957. She then went to Solvang boarding school in Sarnes. Later, she attended junior high school in Honningsvåg. She finished her high school education in Alta.

Art School and University

Ingunn went on to study Sami at the University of Oslo. However, the "standard" Sami she learned there was different from her home language. She then decided to study art. She attended the Trondheim Art School. She first focused on drawing. Soon, she chose to specialize in sculpture.

Artistic Work

Ingunn Utsi mainly works as a sculptor today. She uses many different materials. These include wood, plastic, stone, and metal.

How She Creates Art

Ingunn has a special way of working with wood. She says she rarely makes sketches for her wooden sculptures. Instead, she lets the material guide her. She explains that the wood "talks" to her mind, eyes, and hands. She can often "see" the final artwork by following the wood's natural shape. Sometimes, the wood itself presents surprises or challenges. She takes these into account as she works. As she shapes the material, it grows and becomes her unique piece of art.

Exhibitions and Collections

Ingunn Utsi's artwork has been shown in many places. Her pieces are also part of permanent collections in various museums. In October 2008, the Alta Cultural Association held a special exhibition. It featured several of her works. These included drawings that explored ideas of "timeless time." She also showed a floor artwork made from metal and plexiglass.