Iceland review - 2015, Qupperneq 25

ICELAND REVIEW 23
BELIEVING IN A BRIGHT FUTURE
Although he frequently depicts some of the worst aspects
of Icelandic culture, politics and history in his cartoons,
Halldór remains optimistic about the future of his country.
“It’s in my nature to be optimistic,” he explains. “I always
think the world is becoming a better place. I’m very realis-
tic, and the statistics show that I’m right. Things could be
better, but we have the opportunity to do something great
in this country.” Despite his positive attitude, Halldór
thinks that Iceland’s insularity and distrust of other coun-
tries pose the greatest obstacles to moving the nation
forward. “Icelanders are a combination of being very
conservative and very daring at the same time,” he says. “I
think because we are islanders we are often skeptical about
the outside world, and I think that holds us back.”
A committed chronicler of Iceland’s lively and often
turbulent political discourse, Halldór and his work are
receiving recognition through this new exhibition, which
remains open until August 31. *
SATIRE
Some of Halldór’s many sketches
of the human body. These form the
necessary basis for what may other-
wise seem like simple cartoons.
Published on May 1, Labor Day. Demonstrators and a lone banker carry
placards demanding higher pay. Bankers requested an increase on the
imposed cap on bonuses earlier this year. Tens of thousands of workers in
Iceland have been striking in recent weeks in demand of higher pay.