Artist, Entrepreneur, Pattern Breaker, Qeqertarsuaq, Disko Island, Greenland

Meeting Ms. Kirsten Pedersen felt like destiny. I ventured off the coast of Greenland expecting to photograph icebergs and wild landscape but instead I met locals and learned as much as I could about life in this remote part of the planet. Qeqertarsuaq, founded in 1773, is located on the south coast of Disko Island on the west coast of Greenland. The Greenlandic name Qeqertarsuaq means a The Large Island (from Greenlandic qeqertaq = island) and indeed it is, measuring 8,578 square km (3,312.0 sq miles) in contrast the island of Manhattan boasts 59 square km (~23 sq miles). I was on a mission to find a gallery. I was told a talented local artist keeps the space open during the summer months (within the Arctic Circle that means two to three months a year). I had to see the set up and meet the owner. I reached Kuannit Art Gallery/Shop with a ‘closed for the season’ sign hanging outside. I scribbled something on a note pad and asked a local (via heavy hand gesturing and non verbal means) for a contact number. “Ms. Pedersen was out fishing and would be back tomorrow”, he signaled back.

After moving back to Greenland, determined and fierce, Kirsten opened a studio and simultaneously learned how to take care of a house, withstand long dark winters, harvest local plants for both art and tea brewing, make conserves, catch fish and store seal meat for winter. How to make the contents of the freezer last until the first thaw (since fishing boats are unable to enter the frozen harbour during the winter months). Kirsten learned how to keep her mind from reeling, synapses firing and thoughts occupied during the long isolating winter. How to be an entrepreneurial single woman in a fishing village where everyone knows your name and your purpose. How to blend in when at first you stick out as a sore thumb.

Out here in the winter/autumn months not only does the temperature fall below 30 Celsius ( -22°F) with mountains of snow separating the houses, the number of daylight hours reduces to only 45 minutes in November with the sun altogether disappearing until mid January (revealing itself again for a mere 45 minutes on January 16th). I learned about the survival techniques, such as the boots seen in the images here which are created from reindeer skins and fur and are meant to protect the locals from the harsh elements. I couldn’t help but ask myself how I would change my behaviour if survival solely depended on my preparation, my actions and foreseeing the inevitable winter? I also wondered what it would be like to grow up in such a place, both incredibly beautiful and unforgiving.

The following answers are written by Ms. Kirsten Schmidt-Pedersen (with spelling/grammar tweaks from me). Please keep in mind that English is a second (or third/fourth..) language and is not 100% perfect . Perfect is boring anyway!

1. Name.

Kirsten Schmidt-Pedersen, owner of Kuannit Art in Qeqertarsuaq in Greenland.

2. Where is your hometown?

Qeqertarsuaq, Greenland 69* N 53*W.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

Artist / Entrepreneur.

4. What did you study in school?

How to be a shop assistant, technical assistant, healthcare assistant. Very little of what I’ve studied I am using today.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the breakthrough moment for you (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

My journey in life has always be hard, ever since I was a child. I grew up in a restless home with lots of alcohol. In my youth I was confused, agitated and tired all the time. I spent a lot of time with older friends, at parties full of alcohol and joints. At that time, I felt It was better than to be at home. But in my mind, I always told myself: “I KNOW there is a better life somewhere for me!”. In the worst period I wished for somebody to come and save me from my life. The adults around me didn’t protect me so I saved myself. I guess I believed the affirmative words I would tell myself and I found hope. I decided to move from my hometown and started on the next education.

First time away from my home, moving out was the best decision I could have made for myself. It saved me. The next move was within me: a feeling of wanting to become something, create my own world, as I wanted it to be. My life and job at the time felt empty. But I carried on because I needed the money. Entire time I yearned to be free, I wanted to be my own boss, an entrepreneur. It was a silent dream inside me. The journey continued.

I got married and we lost our only child at birth. After that we had a very hard time in our marriage. And we were unhappy together for many years after, until we saw that the grief was the only thing that held us together. We got divorced. During this time we lived in Denmark.

After the divorce I felt lonely and very sad; I was in crisis. I decided to move back to Greenland where I felt I belonged. I decided to move back to Qeqertarsuaq because my sister lived here. As an adult moving back was so intense. I felt like a new person, I could see everything from a new perspective, and I fell in love with Greenland all over again, with a different mindset. Most importantly, I saw opportunities everywhere. My art was growing, and I drew and created art with wonders.

I had only 82 krona to my name (approximately $10) when I decided to open my gallery, but I had to take a leap and do it. I was approaching 50 and I just knew that I had to go for it. I really had nothing to lose. I was very nervous. But I did It. Now I have my popular gallery in the summertime, and I make my own money. I’m not a millionaire, but I can pay my bills and what’s more important to me, my art is my freedom. Creating art is the best medicine. I can sell it and at the end of the day I am the boss of my life. Yesterday I bought the tiny old house, today it is the gallery. I did that!

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

When I was 20, I dreamt about a better, more peaceful and simple life. I wanted to build a good home and a life without alcohol and drunk people around me. I don’t want to go back to my twenties. I am in the best time in my life today doing exactly what I have being dreaming about. I feel like I have survived. When I was 20, other adults discouraged me from pursuing art; they told me that I would never make money. Unfortunately at the time I listened to them.

7.  Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

(see my note in question five)

8. Advice for other women?

Don’t think you have more rights than others just because you are a woman. (We must work as hard or even harder as male entrepreneurs and business owners). Another thing I would say is don’t feel sad or incomplete if you don’t feel like baking cakes and knitting socks. Don’t worry, you are still a woman!

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

I think we need women leaders now more than ever. Not only because it’s time, but because women have different perspectives to bring to the table, we have the benefit of thinking differently with a much better understanding of the needs of family and our children. We are different than men, different in a good way. We have other viewpoints, different and unique ways of protecting human values, we have more feelings and more words for our feelings than men. I’m not saying that men don’t have feelings; they are just different from ours.

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

I enjoy sitting on the hilltop and feeling the nature around me. When I feel the wind, rain or sun on my skin, I feel alive, so happy and grateful to be living here in Greenland. I feel tallest out there in the nature. My mom was an alcoholic throughout her entire life (she is clean today) but when I was a little girl, she would always say “Kirsten, the nature outside is the best medicine for your soul and body”. I didn’t understand it then, but now I know what she was talking about. It is true.

11. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I constantly work toward being nicer to myself, choosing to love and accept myself more. I want to keep growing and working on my self-worth and self-confidence. I also want to lead a healthier life, without smoking, and certainly eating less. It’s a challenge to change that last area though.

12. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

I want to be able to stand in front of a group of people and talk. I get too nervous. In general it is too difficult for me to see the good things I do, as my focus is too inward, on things I should/can improve.

13. What inspires you?

I am inspired by many things. Silence can inspire me in my art, as can nature, colors, animals and people. Feelings also… It’s difficult to me to say exactly what inspires me.

14. What are you hopeful about?

I am hopefully about people who can open their hearts and talk about taboo subjects. For example today it’s not so taboo to talk about different type of abuse women experience. It is “accepted” for politicians for example to discuss this topic on the news. I am hopeful in the future more taboos will be broken, discussed and addressed.

15. What are some ingredients to a good life?

Love, kindness, understanding and accepting whatever person you are. Learning to take responsibility for yourself, as an adult. Being grateful for those who love you.

16. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

I am kind, loyal and helpful to others. I am good at listening to myself when I need space.

17. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self?

My number one advice would be: If you are having trouble with something and need somebody to talk to, go to your parents first. If it is not possible, always try to seek out someone you can trust and talk to them. There is always someone willing to help. Never carry your problems inside, all alone. My other advice would be to never bully anyone. The act of bullying can destroy a human being.

18. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

I finished a book last night. The book is in Greenlandic / Danish and is called Move On. It is about people who are raised in dysfunctional homes. It’s a book about pattern breakers. I like books in which I can recognize myself. I also love reading about the world. One genre I don’t enjoy is fantasy. It’s just not for me.

19. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, why you admire them?

My sister Brita, she has a big heart for everybody and doesn’t judge. She is a leader at work and in the community, and always remains calm. She is kind and also strong. I am thankful to her for watching over me and taking care of me since I was a baby. I admire her a lot. I have already told her this.

Another WOW Woman I admire is a Greenlandic sportswoman named Uiloq Slettemark. She is a number one skier and a biathlete here in Greenland. She competed multiple times in an Arctic Circle Race and won 14 medals (Uiloq said that she might have obtained 15 if she had not been seven months pregnant whilst competing). She has no fear, and once she wants something, she makes it her goal to achieve it. I also admire that she leads a healthy lifestyle and truly seems to be passionate about life. I feel like she can ski across icecaps in Greenland. I admire her. If I met her, I would say to her: “in my next life I will be like you – you are an exceptional woman”.

20. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

I have an Instagram profile @kuannit_art_qeqertarsuaq and Facebook page Kuannit Artworks Qeqertarsuaq. (My favorite page is Instagram)