Reykjavík Grapevine - 15.07.2016, Qupperneq 48

i8 Gallery
Tryggvagata 16
101 Reykjavík
info@i8.is
t: +354 551 3666
www.i8.is
BIRGIR ANDRÉSSON
INGÓLFUR ARNARSSON
MARGRÉT H. BLÖNDAL
ÓLAFUR ELÍASSON
HREINN FRIDFINNSSON
KRISTJÁN GUDMUNDSSON
SIGURDUR GUDMUNDSSON
ELÍN HANSDÓTTIR
RONI HORN
CALLUM INNES
JANICE KERBEL
RAGNAR KJARTANSSON
ALICJA KWADE
ERNESTO NETO
ARNA ÓTTARSDÓTTIR
EGGERT PÉTURSSON
RAGNA RÓBERTSDÓTTIR
KARIN SANDER
EGILL SÆBJÖRNSSON
IGNACIO URIARTE
THÓR VIGFÚSSON
LAWRENCE WEINER
Artists Represented
Rúrí : Time —Telling
Pétur Thomsen:
Periods / Turning Points
OPEN daily 12—6 pm
FREE ADMISSION
Art Emerging48The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 10 — 2016
Kristín Dóra is a visual artist study-
ing at the Iceland Academy of the
Arts. She recently returned from
an exchange program in Sweden,
garnering attention for her out-
spoken window art. Her pieces are
interesting takes on social matters
and she is a spokesperson for self
love. This summer she is working
with two other girls in a project
they call ‘Málglaðar’, in which they
speak openly about body positivity
and self confidence.

When did you start creating art?
I started creating stuff as a teen-
ager just for the fun of it but I don’t
really show that to anyone. When I
was twenty years old and realized I
could get an education in something
fun I really started creating. There
are plenty of lawyers and engineers
in Iceland. I can be of more use by
creating something interesting.
What is your creative process?
I always start with words. My note-
books fill up pretty fast because I
try to write down everything that
goes on in my mind. There you
can find all my secrets. My works
tend to be about my own insecuri-
ties and the boys I have a crush on.
Or something in society that I find
important. The best of both worlds
I guess.

What inspires you?
19th century medical books, teenage
angst, gardening, social media, love
in all forms, poetry that makes me
cry and coffee that dries my tears.

What is your favorite artwork, by
you and/or another artist?
I really like art that is vulnerable
and funny. My favorite artist right
now is David Shrigley, his stuff
inspires me a lot. He’s real. I like
stuff that hits me in the feelings
but makes me laugh at the same
time. His drawings with text are
my favorite right now. My favor-
ite artwork by myself is probably
when I published my diary after
one hectic year in the dating de-
partment. Having my parents read
it at the exhibition definitely made
me feel exposed.

How is it being an artist in Iceland?
It’s fun! It can be limiting at times
but then you just leave for a while,
learn new things and come back. I
spent last semester in Gothenburg,
Sweden, which was really good for
my art and me. I am excited for my
last year in Iceland Academy of the
Arts, though—the school is full of
talented artists.

What do you wish to achieve
through your art?
It would be great if people could
get something out of it or simply
enjoy it. People who like it, some-
times buy it and then I can splurge
on good coffee. I try to make art
that is accessible and human. It is
a good way to keep a dialogue go-
ing on in society. Because I work
with words I am demanding the
time it takes to read the piece from
the viewer, which I hope isn’t too
bossy of me.

Future plans?
I want to work in Iceland with an
occasional trip to a new city, and
learn new languages. If someone
wants to marry me and have kids
I might do that. I also really want
to buy a house. Anyways, it will all
figure itself out in the end. I’ll just
keep on doing my thing.
SHARE + MORE PICS:
gpv.is/am10
Kristín Dóra
Words & Photos HREFNA BJÖRG GYLFADÓTTIR
YOUNG ARTISTS