Bolatta Silis-Høegh
“My painting was part of a women’s group exhibition Cassandra’s Sisters in Copenhagen. Cassandra who was given the gift of prophecy by Apollon (demigod) and later cursed by the same man that no one would believe her. Cassandra’s Sisters lifted the curse through art. I painted this double self portrait comforting myself in a landscape in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) but also with the sense of being inside. Transparent clothes are hanging – all the ropes I’ve worn trying to fit in.
Working with this painting I realized how marginalized I’ve been as a woman painter – not being paid and included as much as men and at the same time I saw all the parallels of racism I’ve experienced as a Kalaaleq (Greenlander) living in Denmark. Always laughing along at bad jokes as a way to cope. The lateral violence that internalizes in you and makes you harder on yourself and your own.
I was just about getting angry with myself for not seeing these patronizing systems earlier until actualizing it was just another whip on my back and what I needed was forgiveness. Forgiving myself and also the privileged who also need affection to see. Today, I am able to offer myself warmth, forgiveness, and love, and from that place my love can extend outward. I am much stronger now. Inner peace is our core. To truly listen, adapt, and acknowledge one another, we need that inner peace.”
Bolatta Silis-Høegh is an artist from Greenland and Latvia. She lives in Copenhagen, and works out of Greenland, Denmark and Sweden. Bolatta graduated from Aarhus Academy of Art in 2006 and has had numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the years in both Denmark, Greenland and abroad.
“Sit With Me”, acrylic on canvas (140x220cm)