Iceland review - 2015, Qupperneq 9

ICELAND REVIEW 7
Happy Talk
Icelandic artist Hulda B. Ágústsdóttir frequently
unites her passion for jewelry-making with her
love for crafting home décor. This unique design
approach inspired her to create these colorful
candlesticks sold at the Reykjavík-based design
store kirsuberjatréð.
“It started out as a necklace design for a friend
who was graduating from art school,” explains
Hulda. “One idea led to the next, and I eventually
transformed the jewelry design into a concept for
candleholders. I call the pieces ‘happy-talk’ because
I don’t think it’s possible to have a dreary conversa-
tion around such warm and colorful decorations.”
Quirky yet sophisticated, sculptural yet func-
tional, Hulda’s candleholders embody the simplic-
ity, spirit, and unconventionality of contempo-
rary Icelandic design. “The item’s concept is very
unusual, but all kinds of people from all over the
world seem to buy them,” Hulda says. “We just
received a large order from abroad the other day,
and the pieces have sold quite well since we started
stocking them two years ago.”
Hulda, who studied painting in France, crafts
each candleholder out of hand-painted wood and
then coats them with oil lacquer to make them
strong and durable. She chooses her color schemes
with great care, spending hours coming up with
unique color combinations. “I like blending col-
ors that most people don’t think of as going well
together,” Hulda describes. “I like to experiment,
and I’m always trying out new combinations.”
a former layout designer for Morgunblaðið news-
paper, Hulda now enjoys creating bold, humorous
and vibrant home accessories. “I don’t like my
pieces to hide in a corner,” she explains. “Color is
my inspiration, and I like taking ordinary things
and helping others to see them in a new way.” *
PHoTo By Páll StefánSSon.
deSiGN
Artist Hulda B. Ágústsdóttir tells
Elliott Brandsma about her popular
candleholders dubbed ‘happy-talk.’