Last Saturday, Aerpie, which is part of the Slipvillan art center at Långholmen in Stockholm and the center for Sami contemporary art, had its opening when Lena Stenberg exhibited.
A few days later, graffiti was found on several exhibition posters, including a painted skull and the word “Brigand” written in blue-yellow text. It roughly means bandit gang and has been interpreted as racist.
– To then be met by this was shocking and very unpleasant, says Emma Göransson, artistic director at Aerpie.
“Feels insecure”
The exhibition goes by the name “Colors of Colonialism” and is about resilience, hope in the wake of colonialism and Sami who have been forced to adapt to national borders.
– It feels unsafe and I am surprised that this can happen, it is a hate crime against the Sami and it feels like it was deliberately targeted at the Sami.
The incident has now been reported to the police.
– They took it very seriously and will follow up on this, says Göransson, who no longer feels safe at Slipvillan.
– It feels very threatening and I personally feel unsafe in this place now in a way that I haven’t before.
Amnesty: Hate crimes are increasing
Tilda Pontén, lawyer at Amnesty, about the incident:
– If it is true that there is this type of graffiti that is connected to a right-wing extremist movement in Sweden that is directed at Sweden, then it is incredibly serious and must be looked into more closely, she says.
She also believes that hate crimes against the Sami have increased in recent years.
– What we have learned when we talk to Sámi representatives is that in some places in Sápmi, some Sámi experience increased racism, both with hate crimes but also statements on social media. From this point of view, we see great racism against the Sami people, says Tilda Pontén.