Current Exhibition

Stitched Tracks

An exhibition by Britta Marakatt-Labba
Duration of the exhibition: January 30 to July 26, 2026

The exhibition shows works of art by one artist.
The artist's name is Britta Marakatt-Labba.
Britta is a Sámi.
The Sámi call their country Sápmi.
Sápmi encompasses northern parts of:
• Norway
• Sweden
• Finland
• Kola Peninsula in Russia

Britta's father died early.
Her father was very important to Britta.
Britta decided to study art.
Her father's death was one reason for studying art.

Britta co-founded a group.
The group was called the “Máze Group.”
“Máze” is a place in Sápmi.
All members of the group are Sámi.
All members of the group are artists.

The group asks questions:
• Who are we?
• What is important to us?
• How can we protect our rights?

Britta works with fabric.
She processes the fabric in various ways:
• Embroidery
• Sewing on pieces of fabric
• Applying colors

Britta tells stories in her pictures.
Stories about:
• People and animals
• The course of a day
• Sámi festivals
• Sámi tales
• Sámi history
• Changes in life
• Changes in the landscape
• Destruction of the landscape

Everything is precisely arranged in the picture.
The background is often empty.
Action and emptiness alternate.
The alternation creates tension.
This tension is unique.
Britta has a great feel for:
• pictorial space
• action
• vastness
• silence

The Sámi are the only “indigenous” people in Europe.
“Indigenous”:
People who have lived in an area for a very long time.
These people were there before others arrived.
They have their own culture, language, and history.
The Sámi were oppressed.
Their “mythology” was banned.
“Mythology”:
A collection of stories.
Stories about:
The origins, beliefs, and customs of a group.
The culture of the Sámi was disregarded.
The Sámi want to live in harmony with nature.
But the Nordic countries want to take from nature.
The land of the Sámi is rich in natural resources.

The Nordic countries:
• extract raw materials
• engage in agriculture
• build hydroelectric power plants
• build wind farms

This leads to conflicts.
The Nordic countries are encroaching on the Sámi's habitat.
They are destroying the habitat and the animals' migration routes.
They are damaging the environment.
They are taking away the Sámi's livelihood.
The Sámi have been fighting for their rights for a long time.

Three “Sámi parliaments” have been established:
• Parliament in Sweden
• Parliament in Norway
• Parliament in Finland

The “Sámi parliaments” represent the interests of the Sámi.
They advise the Nordic countries.

You can see Britta's artworks in:
• Hall 1
• Hall 2
• Hall 3

You can see 60 works of art by Britta.

This booklet contains texts in simple language.
This booklet only contains texts about the most important works of art.
You can find further texts in the other accompanying booklet.
There are also texts to listen to in the exhibition.
A film is showing on the first floor of the tower.
The film shows Britta's life.
A life with nature.
And a struggle to preserve the culture of the Sámi.

The Kunsthalle Mainz project room is on tower level 2.
On tower level 3, you will find the “Kleine Halle” (small hall).
A space for young and old to participate.