Artist resume
Self portrait 2018
“Naina Helén Jåma is a documentary photographer working for influential Nordic daily papers and magazines. She was trained as a photojournalist at Nordens fotoskola (Nordic Photoschool) in Bålsta, Sweden, and she is currently based in Oslo, Norway. Jåma documentary approach to reality aims to bring forms of objectivity that are intrinsic in the medium's history to highlight a respectful relationship between the observer and the observed, the gaze, and how and why we look towards certain realities. She considers herself a screen in the communication and mediation task that adheres to the ethical logic of the journalistic encounter. To communicate and restitute an image is premised on a deep knowledge of the subject matter and on building durable and long-lasting ties.
(…)
Through her work, Jåma has documented and photographed some of the most crucial topics and figures of the characters inhabiting the Nordic region in their political, ecological, and social life to give a face to the complexity of the cultural geography of the Scandinavian peninsula, some of whom have had a global impact in the last years, bringing the region to the world's eyes.
Jåma started her career as a mediator of South Sámi culture in Snåase (Snåsa, Norway) at the Saemien Sijte Museum at age 15, and she has maintained a close relationship with duedtie (traditional Sámi arts). Documenting the ongoing development of form pays tribute to the further recognition of oral knowledge and silent tradition, which is learned and transmitted visually, and where photography may have a significant role.”
- Dr Antonio Cataldo, Artistic Director of Fotogalleriet
Omtaler
Naina Helén tilldelades Nils och Lucia Thomassons stipendium
Naina Helén Jåma får Släktföreningen Nils och Lucia Thomassons stipendium
Länstidningen Östersund 23. august 2023
Naina livberger seg som frilansfotograf i hovedstaden
Naina Helén Jåma - en av fotografivärldens nya stjärnskott
Naina Helén (31) govve Davviriikkaid stuorimus aviissaide
Naina vill nyansera bilden av Sápmi
Portretter fra Sápmi til Stockholm
Featured in
Norwegian Journal of Photography #7
Women Photograph
Indigenous Photograph
Futures Photography
Sámi Made certified
Professional Organizations
Sami Artists’ Association- SDS
The Press Photographers' Club Norway
Norwegian journalist association
Grants and Awards
2020, Working grant, The Saami Council
2023, Nils Thomasson's memorial grant
2024, Karina Jensen memorial grant
Education
2013/2015 Traditional South Sami Arts
Samernas utbildningscentrum, Sweeden
2016/2019 Photojournalism
Nordens Fotoskola Biskops Arnö, Sweeden
Selected Exhibitions
“Fápmu - Strength” 2023
Medlemsutstilling SDG, Alta kunstnerforbund (14.10 - 04.11.23)”Den tunna linjen” 2018
Nordens Fotoskola Examensutställning,
Galleri Kontrast - Stockholm (05-27.05.2018)«Vætnoe», 2018
Saemien Sijte - Snåsa (06-07.2018)«Ung samisk kunstner», 2018
Raasten rastah, Storstuggu - Røros (27-30.09.2018)
