Who Stole the Sky is the first solo exhibition in the Nordic region by Balinese artist Citra Sasmita. For Kunsthall Stavanger, Sasmita has created a new body of work that unfolds as a multisensory meditation on ancestral memory, humanity’s relationship to nature, and spirituality. Moving across painting, textile, sculpture, and installation, the exhibition proposes art as a ritual space that invites the viewer to encounter history, cosmology, and the body not as separate, but as deeply entangled realms.
At the heart of Who Stole the Sky is a desire to build a bridge
between Balinese cosmology and Norse belief systems. Both traditions understand reality as layered and relational, structured through multiple realms that coexist rather than oppose one another. In Balinese cosmology, these realms are articulated through the Dewata Nawa Sanga: nine directions inhabited by gods, spirits, and ancestral forces. Nordic mythology similarly describes a universe composed of nine interconnected worlds, connected by the world tree Yggdrasil. By drawing these parallels, Sasmita activates a shared mythic language that transcends geography, suggesting that collective memory and spiritual knowledge move across borders and cultures.
About
Kunsthall Stavanger is a leading space for contemporary art, committed to fostering bold artistic experimentation, critical discourse, and meaningful encounters. Since its founding in 2013, the kunsthall has emerged as a vital site for contemporary artistic production and mediation. Our trailblazing programme includes both Norwegian and international artists, and encompasses exhibitions, artwork commissions, public programmes, and initiatives for children and youth. With a program that embraces diverse voices and urgent cultural debates, the Kunsthall operates as a crucial platform for critical artistic and curatorial inquiry.
Firmly rooted in our local context and in active dialogue with global conversations, Kunsthall Stavanger’s commitment to artist-centered programming ensures that we remain a responsive, forward-thinking institution. We support artists at pivotal moments in their careers while fostering meaningful connections between art and society.
https://kunsthallstavanger.no/en/about-us
Our regular opening hours during exhibitions are
Wednesday 11am–4pm
Thursday 11am–7pm
Friday 11am–4pm
Saturday 11am–4pm
Sunday 11am–4pm
https://kunsthallstavanger.no/en/visit
