The White Falcon - 16.04.1971, Blaðsíða 10

The Sveinn Bjornsson Show
by OT3 Ken Burrows
Although their borders remain
unclear, there have been two basic
schools of thought concerning an
artist and his work. For many of
us who are unaffected by a piece
of literature or an exhibition of
paintings, the concepts of "art
for art’s sake" and "art for soc-
ial awareness" may seem unrelated
to the theme of the composition.
When an artist does a piece of
work it is either for his own sat-
isfaction or as an extension and
reflection of the society in which
he lives. The work can then be
appreciated for either its per-
sonality and form, or its theme
and form; the theme attempting to
establish a social identity be-
tween the painter and the viewer.
The exhibition held at Tjamar-
gata 3 of Sveinn Bjornsson's work
was an excellent example of these
concepts in art. From both his
works and his personality an ami-
able combination was displayed.
His compositions, done in the
spare hours of the evening, touch
on both reality and fantasy. With
a full-time job other than paint-
ing, he retains that priceless
freedom of an artist to express
himself without the limitations
of economy. Even though his work
is done for self appreciation, his
sensitivity to Iceland and its
social patterns are emphasized in
many of his work themes. His num-
erous "fantastic" compositions,
whether mythological or spontane-
ous, show an exacting eye for
color and line: a technical har-
mony which "art for art's sake"
encompasses. i
Andersen exhibit
opens Saturday
Mrs. Astridur Andersen opens her
second painting exhibition in Ice-
land this Saturday, April 17, on the
top floor of Tjamargata3, Keflavik.
The showing will be open April 17
and 18, Thursday April 22 and on the
weekend April 24 and 25. Hours of
showing are between 4 and 10 p.m.
daily.
Mrs. Andersen is widely traveled
and has also received excellent
training which has included the use
of studio space on Edvard Munch's
estate.
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WHITE