Attention Norwegians and visitors to the country: a can't-miss solo exhibition by artist Linda Lamignan is taking place at Galleri F 15 in Moss and runs until February 2025. Below, everything to know about the captivating and thought-provoking showcase
A spellbinding new exhibition has taken over the acclaimed Galleri F 15 in Moss, Norway, just under an hour’s drive from Oslo. Curated by Maria C. Havstam, the solo show, entitled If you go to the river, features a selection of Nigerian-born, Norway-raised artist Linda Lamignan’s key works, some of which are being displayed in the country for the very first time.
“We are delighted to present If you go to the river, a remarkable exhibition by Linda Lamignan. Their innovative work, rooted in deep cultural and ecological connections, aligns with Galleri F 15’s mission to promote art that inspires critical reflection,” says Lise Pennington, director of Galleri F 15. “Lamignan’s ability to weave complex narratives between West Africa and Norway through their unique practice offers our visitors a transformative experience, engaging with environmental and diasporic themes in powerful new ways.”
Showcasing six major works by Lamignan, the exhibition, set within the historic 19th-century manor house, delves into the concept of “floating between different worlds.” According to Lamignan, this idea was influenced by the book Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza by Gloria Anzaldúa, a scholar and poet who wrote about the experience of existing in the borderlands between different cultures, genders, and identities. “The concept she explores in this book has served as a guidance for my artistic practice for some years now,” Lamignan explains. “I seek to deconstruct ideas of dichotomy in genders, cultures, sexualities, humanity, industry, nature, spirituality, technology and science. Instead, I explore the sensation of flowing across and in between these imagined borders. Opening up for other ways of understanding our place in the world.”
'Benikrukru' by Linda Lamignan, part of the exhibition. Photo: Linda Lamignan
'Calabash' by Linda Lamignan. Photo: Kevin Malcolm
Using a range of media – from video and painting to sound and performance –the exhibition draws viewers into an immersive journey where Lamignan explores the connection between ancestry, living landscapes and the history of oil extraction in Norway and beyond. The artist’s inspiration lies in the “relations me and my ancestors have to the living lands we belong to and the symbols and elements that are found in these landscapes.” What interests Lamingnan most is examining how our value systems shape the way we perceive our surroundings. Their upbringing in Sandnes and Port-Gentil, along with roots in Delta State, has deepened their understanding of diversity within different landscapes and cultures. “It broadened my understanding of the world from an early age,” they share. “The oil industry has a strong presence in all these places and has followed me my whole life.”
Intertwining these narratives, Lamignan garnered elements such as the crocodile, the monitor lizard, water and crude oil, from a host of cherished sources, including their heritage and stories told by their aunt, from which the exhibition name stems from. Through their artworks, they have transformed these components into new, meaningful tales. For If you go to the river, Lamignan also tapped a handful of other creatives and family members, like digital artist Kristoffer and musician Nova Varnrable, who lent their unique touch to the pieces.
'Toru Torubiri Biri' by Linda Lamignan. Photo: Linda Lamignan
For Lamignan, debuting some of their works in Norway feels “exciting”. At the same time, they’re also curious to see how the pieces will be received by “an audience whose cultural identity is strongly connected to both oil and nature.” Ultimately, they hope visitors resonate with the feeling of “being in between worlds”, and that the exhibition sparks critical discourse on environmental issues.
“We all share a very special connection to the landscape and have our own stories about this. Yet we also have a complicated relationship with oil extraction and the impact this has on nature, on life,” Lamignan says. “I hope that the exhibition can shift perspectives, start interesting conversations and offer a space to reflect on this together.”
Linda Lamignan's solo exhibition If you go to the river runs until 23rd of February 2025 at Galleri F 15 in Moss, Norway.