Iceland review - 2015, Qupperneq 14

“To mark the anniversary we will host an exhibition of influential women in Icelandic
art, which will open on February 13,” says head of exhibitions at the National Gallery of
Iceland, Birta Guðjónsdóttir. “In the autumn a grand retrospective of the work of one of
Iceland’s most celebrated modernist artists, Nína Tryggvadóttir [1913-1968], will open.
Her last retrospective was in 1974, so it’s time to introduce her notable life and career to
new generations. Some of the paintings come from her daughter’s collection and haven’t
been displayed in Iceland before,” Birta adds. also opening in February is ‘a kassen
Carnegie art award 2014’ by Danish collective a kassen. “They sent photographs of all
the works by the artists involved in the award to the Xiamen painting village in China
where they were copied, and the exhibition is comprised of the copies,” Birta explains.
“Our contribution to the Reykjavík arts Festival in May will be ‘SaGa – Narrative art,’
featuring the narrative element in Icelandic visual art.” *
National Gallery of Iceland
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12 ICELAND REVIEW
WOMEN IN aRT In 1915, women in Iceland voted for the first time. To honor
this historical milestone, female artists will be prominent in
exhibitions at Iceland’s galleries this year.By eygló Svala arnarSdóttir.
PHoTo coURTESy oF akUreyri art MUSeUM.
“Every year we run 20-30 diverse exhibitions in all three buildings: Hafnarhús,
kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn,” says Berghildur Erla Bernharðsdóttir, communica-
tion and marketing manager at Reykjavík art Museum. “We also organize around 100
events and participate in all the biggest culture festivals in Reykjavík.” among this
year’s highlights is ‘pulse of Time’ at kjarvalsstaðir, a retrospective of painter Einar
Hákonarson’s career. Born in 1945, Einar is well-known for his expressionist and figu-
rative paintings. “at Hafnarhús there will be an exhibition by Cory archangel, ‘all the
Small Things.’ He’s made quite an impression on the international art world despite
being so young—he’s in his thirties. He’s a pioneer, combining digital technology and
art.” Ásmundarsafn will commemorate the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote
in ‘aquarius – Mountain+Woman,’ exhibiting sculptures by Ásmundur Sveinsson and
selected works by other artists. permanent exhibitions dedicated to Ásmundur (1893-
1982), painter Jóhannes S. kjarval (1885-1972) and legendary postmodern artist Erró
(born 1932), showcase rotating works by the artists at the museum’s three sites. *
Reykjavík art Museum
In akureyri, North Iceland, ‘The artist from the Old Town,’ a retrospective of the work
of local artist Elísabet Geirmundsdóttir (1915-1959), will open at akureyri art Museum
in January. “It’s very fitting that on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of women’s
right to vote, and on what would have been Elísabet’s 100th birthday, a retrospective
of her career will be put up,” says museum director Hlynur Hallsson. “It’s also the first
time that her artwork is displayed in an art museum.” a working class artist, Elísabet is
best known for her sculptures, but she also made paintings, illustrations and more. The
exhibition will be among the 23 run at the museum this year. “One of the bigger exhibi-
tions, opening in March, is ‘With the Back to the Future,’ a retrospective of the works of
German artist Jan Voss,” reveals Hlynur. Born in 1945, Jan is best known for his book art,
which will be the focus of the exhibition. a local to the region too, Jan lives and works
in the North Iceland hamlet of Hjalteyri for part of each year. *
akureyri art Museum
a wooden figurine by elísabet geirmundsdóttir
(1915-1959). a retrospective exhibition of her
work opens at akureyri art Museum in January.