Erling Borgen will address questions of freedom of expression, journalism and artistic practice under political repression and authoritarian regimes in Latin America, drawing on his own experiences as a journalist and Latin America correspondent. Taking González’s works as a point of departure, Martha Rubiano Skretteberg will look more closely at how Colombia’s long history of violence has affected individuals, families and local communities, and at the broader context in which these experiences continue to resonate. Here, she will also reflect on how people have continued to live in the aftermath of loss and displacement, and how experiences of the conflict continue to shape Colombian society in the period surrounding and following the 2016 peace agreement. 

Beatriz González explores how the images that surround us have the power and capacity to communicate, influence and shape how we perceive the world. Drawing on found images collected throughout her life in Colombia, González transforms this source material through her work. Rooted in a specifically Colombian context, her works address contemporary issues ranging from political violence and the climate crisis to life in different Indigenous communities. At the same time, they engage with the global politics of our time in ways that speak to broader human concerns. 

The conversation will be in Norwegian and is included in the entry fee to the exhibition. Free for members. 

Erling Borgen is Professor Emeritus in socially critical documentary practice and worked for NRK for 20 years, including as a correspondent in Latin America and Asia. For many years, he taught documentary practice at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences and has led seminars for persecuted journalists in several Latin American countries. Borgen has made more than 80 television documentaries on a wide range of social and political issues, several of which have been shown internationally, and has received numerous national and international media awards. 

Martha Rubiano Skretteberg is a lawyer, born and educated in Bogotá, and has also studied criminology and refugee law at the University of Oslo. She has held several leadership positions in public administration and non-governmental organisations, including as Regional Director for Latin America at the Norwegian Refugee Council, with a particular focus on Colombia; Director of FOKUS; and Secretary General of Caritas Norway. She has also been based in Colombia, where her work focused on rainforest conservation, food security, and peace and reconciliation processes. Skretteberg has for many years contributed her expertise to Norwegian media coverage of Colombia and currently works as a senior adviser at the Norwegian Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion. 

Ingrid Fadnes is a journalist on the features desk at Klassekampen, where she writes in-depth articles on topics including Latin America, Indigenous issues, climate, security policy and activism. She has lived and worked in Latin America for several years and has extensive experience in journalism and documentary work from the region.