John Savio

-         Olbmot

 

John Savio

-         Folk

 

John Savio

-         People

 

 

John Andreas Savio’s art is still very topical and draws wide attention even 80 years after his death. As part of the current celebration of the Tråante that marks the centenary of the Sami’s struggle for democracy, justice and cultural diversity, Tromsø Museum highlights a selection of Savio’s pictures where people are the main motive. On his deathbed, Savio’s wish was to draw the world’s attention to the plight of the Sami, a wish that is congruent with the theme of the anniversary celebration, namely to present the Sami people, Sami culture and Sami history through the last century. 

 

Savio was born in 1902 in Bugøyfjord in East Finnmark. Orphaned at the age of three, he was raised by wealthy grandparents who owned reindeer and were merchants. Already when young, he showed creative and artistic talent. He went to school in Vardø, Kvæfjord and later Bodø, before moving to Oslo where he trained at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry. During this period, he missed home and the outside world. After Oslo, he travelled to Finnmark, Troms and Lofoten and lived a long time in Paris. Stories of his adult artist life revolve round poverty, illness, tuberculosis and sales of woodcuts. Savio died of tuberculosis in 1938, only 36 years old and at what would have been the start of his artistic career. His life and work had, nevertheless, fundamental significance for Sami art and identity.

 

Tromsø Museum has a rich collection of Savio’s works including wood- and linocuts, nudes, drawings, watercolours and oil paintings that all illustrate the diversity of his production.

 

John Andreas Savio is described as the first professional Sami artist, and is widely known for his Sami motives. In his works, we see the Sami people and their way of life when hunting, herding reindeer, at home and in the countryside, under threatening powers and in love. For all that, Savio’s pictures project beyond the Sami world with pictures of Lofoten, studies of nudes and of people swimming in Oslofjord as well as motives from abroad as in the woodcut “Hoppla vi lever” (Hooray, we are alive). This diversity of artistic expressions is clearly illustrated in the choice of pictures in this exhibition.

 

Savio sought inspiration and intellect in the works of Nicolai Astrup and Edvard Munch. He was inspired by Munch’s expressive style and his use of woodcuts. One can also see a resemblance to Gustav Vigeland’s works. Savio creates a tension between compositions that depict drama and movement, and more stylistic works based on tranquillity. Despite his short life, Savio had a huge and comprehensive production that even today gives us new insight, experience and inspiration.

Last changed: 22.08.2017 14.44