Artist Residency at NIRS
Eleanor and Naja Abelsen (GL/DK) residency in Narsaq May 2023 involved learning about the rich natural and cultural history of Narsaq, local plant knowledges and indigenous teachings. It included running art workshops to children in the UK and GL, facilitating a creative space for young people, to be creative and foster a cultural dialogue and interactive exchange between the two countries which involved exchanging hand drawn post cards, videos and zoom calls. The aims of the art workshops were to develop children’s understanding of life in their respective countries, similarities and differences, as well learning from Inuit culture about sustainable relationships and increase environmental awareness.
NIRS is an independent non-profit research platform with a focus on cultural and scientific research in South Greenland. The Research Station is located in a region of outstanding natural beauty and cultural heritage that is central for understanding some of the most urgent challenges the world is facing today.
Thanks to all the children and staff at Narsap Atuarfia School, Greenland, St Albans Woodcraftfolk and Whipperley School, Luton.
Narsap Atuarfia School, Narsaq Feedback from teacher Aili Liimakka: 'The classes have enjoyed participating in the project. They have further developed their creative artistic skills and abilities. The students have gained insight about themselves and their history, while they reflected on their own culture and identity by making art, but also by having to talk about themselves to other children of the same age in other parts of the world. Many students have not travelled outside Greenland, not even from South Greenland, and find it difficult to imagine themselves as a citizen in the global world, since they are primarily spectators either on TV or the internet. The classes have gained insight into other cultures and established relationships with other children, through other channels than only digital and social media. This has brought joy and motivation not only in the classroom but also in the students personal lives, not to mention, that this experience also has helped building positive and strong relationships and companionships amongst the students . Creating relationships with students in the UK has brought excitement to our students and being able to get out and experience the world may not seem so scary anymore. The art exchange project has made the students more motivated to learn other languages. We from Narsap Atuarfia are beyond happy to have had the opportunity to participate in this art and exchange project.'
Year 6 pupils at Narsap Atuarfia School
The Story of Sassuma Arnaa - the Mother of the Sea (drawing by Ninna, year 6 Narsap Atuarfia School). This pivotal figure in Inuit mythology embodies the ocean's health, directly impacted by the ethical and moral choices of people. In a time when pollution signifies one of these transgressions, it resonates profoundly with modern ecological concerns. According to legend, the sea animals are created from her chopped off finger joints, so they are part of herself and easily controlled. Each wrongful act by a human— whether it be a modern-day pollutant or an ancient breach of taboo—manifests as filth entangling the hair of the Mother of the Sea, trapping the creatures within and bringing famine upon the Inuit as the sea's bounty is withheld. Driven by desperation, a shaman (also called an angakkog) would embark on an arduous journey to the sea's depths, confronting Sassuma Arnaa in her underwater dwelling. Confrontation turned into a battle of wills, as the shaman grappled not only with her fury but also with her tangled, unkept locks. With no fingers to free herself from the matted brine, her anger raged like the tempestuous sea. It was only through the shaman's perseverance, combing out the knotted mass amidst their struggle, that he could appease her. As the last of the dirt fell away and the marine life once again swam free, her rage subsided, replaced with tranquillity. With the ocean's equilibrium restored, the Sassuma Arnaa shared her wisdom with the shaman, imparting lessons of balance and respect that humans must uphold to maintain harmony with nature. This narrative underscores a lesson of reciprocity and care, guiding us to a balanced and respectful coexistence with the natural world.
Clay workshop with year 1, Narsap Atuarfia School, class teacher Aili Liimakka.
Post card from year 1, Narsap Atuarfia School
Year 6 pupils at Narsap Atuarfia School
Post card from year 1, Whipperley Infant Academy
Post card from year 6, Narsap Atuarfia School
Year 1 class at Whipperley Infant Academy Feedback 'This project has helped us with our school development plan and with building a creative curriculum…The puppet making workshops connected with the idea of “Aqipi the spirit helper” written by Naja Rosing-Asvid. The pupils wrote some simple postcards about themselves focused on favourite interests/food/being at school/favourite colours/who is in their family. Cultural exchange was further supported by a zoom with the class in Greenland. This was so exciting for the pupils as they each asked questions and shared everyday aspects of life- “What do you like to do/eat/play with?” The pupils enjoyed sharing what was similar and different about their lives and school days. Eleanor’s workshops enabled pupils to see visual images and handle artefacts. Questions about what it is like to live in Greenland helped pupils to imagine and develop comparisons such as “If you step on the snow, how does it feel like?” “Do you have a packed lunch?”. Many of our pupils are bilingual too, they were curious to learn how to say help and goodbye in Greenlandic. Their interest spiralled leading to comparing journeys to school in Luton and Greenland, listing what might be seen or heard. This extended to looking at maps, comparing the sizes of the countries and thinking about directions and compass points. The pupils were inspired to explore and write about arctic animals and developed their understanding of seasonal weather patterns and hibernation. The children learnt about life in Greenland, and different livelihoods such as hunting, which young people are introduced to from an early age. How people in Narsaq live closely with nature in terms of hunting for their food such as seal, fish, arctic hare, walrus and whale. They also learnt about how the weather can have a big impact on their day to day life – how snow storms keep them inside and ice in the bay may stop them from leaving their small town with only 1200 inhabitants. Themes of sustainable living and respect for the animals they hunt and the environment, were introduced through Inuit culture, and also about how weather patterns are changing due to climate change. The event and experiences helped the children to bridge the gap from an abstract idea of comparing another country they have never been to, to getting to understand it first hand from the children in Narsaq.'
Woodpeckers pioneer group with Woodcraft Folk in St Albans, UK
Post card from year 6 Narsap Atuarfia School
Post card from year 6 Narsap Atuarfia School
Post card from year 1 Narsap Atuarfia School
Post card from St Albans Woodcraft Folk
Post card from year 1 Whipperley Infant Academy
'A fish that can walk and talk' drawing by year 6 Narsap Atuarfia School
Drawing by St Albans Woodcraft Folk
Whipperley pupils at the post office sending their post cards to Greenland
Naja Abelsen and Jesper Enevoldsen, Museum Inspector - on a tour of the Henrik Lund Museum, Narsaq
Oleeraq Nielsen giving us a tour of Narsaq Museum.
The plant Angelica Archangelica/ kuanneq / kvan is found growing wild in the mountains in Greenland and is rich in vitamin C and iron, edible and used for medicinal purposes. Eaten as a vegetable or often as a pickle to accompany a seal dish.
Eleanor, Narsaq (photo taken by Naja Abelsen)