Atlantica - 01.03.2004, Side 34

i-site❍
You’re looking for a souvenir to commemorate your stay in
Iceland, and a tee shirt just won’t do it. How about a tattoo? No, I
don’t mean needling the word ‘mother’ on your bicep. I’m talking
about an Icelandic Viking symbol.
The long-haired man standing behind the counter at Tattoo JP is
not only the owner, he’s also a proud customer, with Viking sym-
bols tattooed all over, including his name, Fjölnir, written up his
forearm, Old Norse style. “This one strikes fear into the heart of
your enemies,” Fjölnir says, lifting his arm, revealing an intricate
design, “but only if you have it under your arm.”
Fjölnir will tattoo anyone’s request. However, it’s the old Viking
symbols that are all the rage, signs of prayers, love symbols –
there’s even one to ward off foxes.
The most popular Viking symbol of all, Fjölnir says, is Vegvísir, a
magical stave that will help show you the way. Why is the magi-
cal stave so popular? Because Björk has one.
Tattoo JP - Open Mon. to Sat. from 12.00-20.00, Sunday by
appointment.
Laugavegur 54, 101 Reykjavík, Tel. (+354) 551-9070.
The first three decades of the 20th century were tumultuous times in Icelandic history.
Icelanders received home rule from Denmark in 1904 and became a sovereignty in 1918.
Reykjavík rapidly changed from a village to a bustling commercial capital, and the first
Icelandic artists returned home from their studies in Denmark and began exhibiting their
works. It became vital for the nation to create its own identity after centuries of foreign
rule. Painters chose to depict scenes of the natural beauty of the country and its rich
history. Now, the National Gallery of Iceland hosts an exhibition of the most important
sculptors and painters of this era, giving a good overview of the various topics that
Icelandic sculptors and painters tackled in the first three decades of the 20th century.
Landscapes, folk tales, portraits, mythology and still lifes were all popular subjects.
Featuring the works of Iceland’s most famous artists, including Thórarinn B.
Thorláksson, Ásgrímur Jónsson, Jóhannes Kjarval, Nína Sæmundsson, Jón Stefánsson,
Júlíana Sveinsdóttir and Gunnlaugur Blöndal.
Icelandic Art 1900-1930. At the National Gallery from 27 March to 2 May. www.natgall.is
Finnur Jónsson (1892-1993) KOMPÓSISJÓN, 1925. TUSCH, 29X20
Kristín Jónsdóttir (1888-1959)
FISKVERKUN VIÐ EYJARFJÖRÐ, 1914
OIL ON CANVAS, 79X105
Art Pioneers
Colouring the Body
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Tattoo
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