Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
One of Ásgrímur's students was Johannes Kjarval (1885-1972), Iceland's most endur-
ingly popular artist, who grew up in the remote east Iceland village of Borgarfjörður Eys-
tri. His first commissioned works were, rather poignantly, drawings of farms for people
who were emigrating, but he's most famous for his early charcoal sketches of people from
the village and for his surreal landscapes. A whole beautiful building of the Reykjavík
Museum of Art (Kjarvalsstadir) is named for him.
Sculpture is also very well represented in Iceland, with works dotting parks, gardens
and galleries across the country. The most famous Icelandic sculptors all have museums
dedicated to them in Reykjavík. Notable exponents include Einar Jónsson (1874-1954),
whose mystical works dwell on death and resurrection, and Ásmundur Sveinsson
(1893-1982) whose wide-ranging captivating kinetic work celebrate Iceland, its stories
and its people. Don't miss Reykjavík Art Museum's Asmundarsafn, the artist's peaceful
former studio filled with inspiring sculptures. Sigurjón Ólafsson (1908-92) specialised in
busts but also dabbled in abstract forms. Gerður Helgadóttir (1928-75) made beautiful
stained glass and sculpture, and has a museum dedicated to her in Kópavogur. You'll also
find her work in Reykjavík's Hljómskálagarður Park, along with pieces by Gunnfríður
Jónsdóttir (1889-1968), Nína Sæmundson (1892-1962), Þorbjörg Pálsdóttir (1919-2009)
and Ólöf Pálsdóttir (1920-).
Iceland's most famous contemporary painter is probably pop-art icon Erró (Guðmundur
Guðmundsson), who has donated his entire collection to Reykjavík Art Museum's Hafnar-
hús. Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson (1967-) creates powerful installations and de-
signed the facade of Reykjavík's dazzling concert hall, Harpa.
Reykjavík Arts Festival (late May to early June) is an interesting chance to see the inter-
section of Icelandic visual, literary, musical and performing arts.
Many Icelandic painters and musicians are serious creative artists in multiple disciplines.
Some are making a splash overseas, like Ragnar Kjartansson, who represents this new-
est breed of Icelandic artist: part painter, part actor, director or musician. Reykjavík Art
Museum's Hafnarhús and Reykjavík galleries do a great job showcasing them.
