Further Information

Due to the vast geographical distance from north to south and east to west, and the presence of the second-largest ice sheet on Earth, Greenland as a nation is physically divided.

We will make a book that will take you on a journey through the Upernavik region in northern Greenland, a region with a rich hunting and fishing culture that is seldom visited by fellow Greenlanders. Based on the age-old question, “where do you come from?”, and through stories narrated by its residents, the book brings to light this special region, opening it's door to the rest of Greenland and the world beyond.

In the summer of 2022, we embarked on an extraordinary month-long adventure through the challenging waters of northern Greenland. Sailing over 400 km in an open boat, we visited the 9 villages of the Upernavik region.

We interviewed 48 people, who shared stories covering topics from polar bear and narwhal hunts, to role models and favourite childhood games, kayak building and the harsh reality of life lived close to nature. These stories contain a rich description of this often forgotten region of northern Greenland.

The method and style of the project were simple and natural, powerful images combined with audio recordings and text. The images are portraits with basic lighting against a plain background to emphasize the individuals. Interviews were recorded in audio.

The photographs were taken immediately after the interviews. The only instructions given to the participants were to sit and face a certain direction, relax, think about the questions and answers, and then look directly into the lens.

Viewing a portrait of a person alongside a story told by that same person creates a deeper connection between the storyteller and the viewer.

The Field Team

Let us introduce the field team, they are the reason we are able to present this book project to you

Abel Hansen was our guide with Bolethe Bidstrup as his right hand. They took care of everything regarding the boat and brought us safely from start to finish, always one step ahead of a storm or bad weather.

Númi Arnarsson was the field manager and expedition writer, logging the whole trip with his pen and paper. He was involved with everything, from making porridge in the early morning to late at night, sat planning the schedule for the following day.

Birgitta Kammann Danielsen was the logistics manager/coordinator. Some 8 months prior to the expedition we started to design the journey and as the four of us traveled, Birgitta was in Kullorsuaq organizing everything, always one village ahead of us.

Without these four individuals the journey would not have been possible.

About the book

The first edition copy of the book has a hardcover and consists of approximately 200 pages, measuring 24 x 30 cm. It is printed using high-quality offset printing techniques and includes content in both Greenlandic and English. The book features over 48 portraits, each accompanied by text.

The Process

Funding

The journey through the Upernavik district was funded by Greenland Tips- og Lottomidlerne (Pulje C) and Eqqumiitsuliornermut Aningaasaateqarfik (Greenland Artist Foundation).

The decision was made to publish the book independently to maintain control over the editorial process and ensure copies reach the people and communities in Greenland, as well as a wider global audience.

Tips- og Lottomidlerne (Pulje C) are supporting the creation of the book, your support will allow us to complete the publishing.

Lars-Emil Johansen, former Prime Minister and a distinguished figure deeply rooted in Greenlandic culture, has endorsed the work as “a significant and important contribution to Greenland's cultural values” and commends the project leader: “It's rare to encounter someone like Elvar Orn Kjartansson, who has shown great interest in the cultural identity of the Greenlandic people”.

Lottery

If we achieve 100% of our crowdfunding goal, we will celebrate with a lottery of 3 special items. As a big thank you, the names of all who have supported us will be included in the draw.

Iceberg No.1
This is one of my favorite images from my journey around Greenland in 2017 as part of the 'Piniartoq' (hunter) project. Captured using a 4x5" large format camera on Portra 400

"Iceberg No. 1" A1 on fine art paper. 1/7 AP 2
"Iceberg No. 1" A3 on fine art paper. 1/7 AP 2
"Iceberg No. 1" 8x10 as a Platinum print. 1/7 AP 2

Diary from the journey

A companion booklet, exclusive to the first edition print, is included with pledge package No.3 and above. This booklet, gives a behind the scenes look into the day-to-day adventures and poignant moments encountered on our journey through North Greenland.

Experience the quiet thrill of meeting a fellow traveler in the misty solitude of a fishing spot, the warm communal joy of local celebrations, and the tense moments as we navigated around crumbling icebergs.

While the main book tells the broader narrative of the people from the Upernavik district, this booklet gives you a closer, more intimate look at the experiences that shaped our expedition. It's a little something extra to thank you for your support.

About Elvar Örn

Elvar Örn is a versatile visual artist engaged in multiple disciplines, including conceptual photography, printmaking, abstract painting, porcelain sculpture, and bronze casting.

He is a member of the Artist Association in several Nordic countries:

NBK (Norwegian Visual Artist Association)
KIMIK (Greenlandic Visual Artist Association)
Association of Norwegian Printmakers
Association of Icelandic Printmakers

You can scroll through his collections showing in galleries in Norway:

ElvarÖrn
Fineart Gallery Oslo
Kunstverket Gallery Oslo
Norske Grafikerer Gallery Oslo

Since 2015, Elvar Örn has been based in Nuuk, Greenland, where he lives and works. In addition to his ongoing projects in the Nordic countries and China, he has focused extensively on projects and exhibitions that highlight the lives and experiences of hunters in Greenland.

Elvar Örn has carefully chosen the content of the pledge packages in this campaign and will print everything himself.

See the details of the packages and follow the progress and updates of the project HERE

We thank the many others who have contributed significantly along the way. Fishermen and hunters who gave directions for safe routes to the next village; local officials and teachers in many of the villages who opened the door for us and gave us shelter; Niels Berthelsen for supporting the team in Kullorsuaq; Royal Arctic Line A/S, all the people that participated in the project; and Solenn Boubour.