DUODJI PRACTITIONER & FILIGREE GOLD- AND SILVERSMITH
The artistic expression
I am inspired by nature, mythology, relations and feelings. The driving force behind my artistic expression is heavily influenced by my sami background, reindeer operation as a method of handing over culture, knowledge and wisdom as well as the culture itself that leaves a mark on my life and way of living. Through my theme based collections I wish to symbolize and recognize strength, courage and hope. The artistic expression shows a combination of sami traditions and Nordic stylish design.
"She who gives soul to her jewelry"
- quote from the Indigee project; about LSomby's duodji og jewelry.
About LSomby
I, LSomby, have foundet my gold and silver smithy in the heart of Sápmi, Karasjok. During my first year I have spent my time to find the identity of Sami Silver by Somby and the journey from artist to an entrepreneur is evident. In the coming period of this project I will continue this process and expand my knowledge about sami craft using collection based studies within “Methods in duodji and form” at the Samisk Høyskole (Sami College) in Kautokeino.
I am an experienced woman who have been working with visualization using her hands as her primary tool for a long time. I have taken my examination in gold jewelers design at PLUS and later also an examination in filigree at the silver smithy at Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Museum of Cultural History) in Oslo.
The company Sami Silver by Somby was established in 2016 and was re-registered to LSomby in 2019. I have a desire to create a design that shows my love to the craft and unites the sami with filigree details.
LSomby's background
LSomby is born and raised in a reindeer family from Karasjok in Finnmark. An important part of childhood and family life was to go with the reindeer herd from the inland to the coast and back. From Karasjok my journey brought me to Oslo and Hallingdal resulting in a bachelor´s degree in sign language and sign language interpretation. The sami society in Oslo was always important to her and this lead her to Fredrikstad and the PLUS entrepreneur school. This was where she graduated in gold jewelry and later she was offered an apprenticeship in the silver smithy at Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Museum of Cultural History) in Oslo. She also graduated in filigree during her time at Norsk Folkemuseum. LSomby is now back in Karasjok and Finnmark where she has founded her jewelers workshop and her company Sami Silver by Somby in 2016.
The history of Sami Silver by Somby is rooted in visual communication where the hands, face and body are used for expression. My sister is still, as she has always been, the inspiration for my silver work. Whenever I work with the silver I can feel her working with me. She has given me inspiration to choose this form of artistic expression that is my specialty. My vision is that when sorrow dies, beauty is born. This life style philosophy has been with me all my life. Many of the pieces intitiate and transform into strength, courage and hope.
I, LSomby, have a heartfelt wish to develop my artistic expression based on the sami history, my history. The sami culture, the culture that shaped my life and way of living. Traditions that can be experienced as modern, beautiful and that can adorn him or her.