To paint Faeroean identity : The artist Samál Joensen-Mikines and Faeroean national identity

This paper examines the artist Sámal Joensen-Mikines (1906-1979) and how he and his work manifest Faroese national identity. The theoretical background used in thispaper is Anthony D. Smiths theory on the potential of art to reproduce and re-interpret national identity. He describes three different elements of how this can be achieved in art – evocation, commemoration and didactic. The paper examines the form, style and subject of three of Mikines’ paintings from this theoretical perspective, as well as how the artist positions himself and how he is positioned by critics and experts both during and after his lifetime. The results show that his home island Mykines and his identity as Faroese are central for Mikines and his work. His artwork is clearly identified as Faroese by experts, and he has a strong position in the Faroese art world. The form and style of his work is international, strongly inspired by Nordic and European artists, and he uses this as his language to communicate Faroese national identity in form of evocation and commemoration to both a Faroese and an international audience