Bear and Sun Symbols in the Drum Landscapes of Sámi Artists Peter Armstrand and Elli-Maaret Helander

The construction, decoration, and use of Sámi drums within Sámi culture is examined with reference to the painted drums of two Sámi artists: Peter Armstrand and Elli-Maaret Helander. In their art, bear and sun symbolism, both past and present, are used as resources for constructing Sámi cultural landscapes. The artists’ practices are discussed in relation to their perspectives on identity, memory, and the reuse and transmission of cultural heritage.