Programme of the week
Exhibitions 2026 – National Gallery
Innocent Bodies
Final Exhibition Weekend
Now is the last chance to see the exhibition Innocent Bodies at the National Gallery of Iceland by the Polish artist Agnieszka Polska.
In Agnieszka’s art, ancient storytelling traditions meet the value of human experience. She makes use of contemporary visual technologies such as recordings, video, photography, and animation. She often works with found imagery, which she distorts and transforms, frequently with the assistance of artificial intelligence. Ambient sound, music, and narration intertwine with her poetic cinematic narratives.
The final day of the exhibition is Sunday, May 17.
About the exhibition: Innocent Bodies | National Gallery of Iceland
Innocent Bodies Final Exhibition Weekend
Exhibitions 2026 – National Gallery
The Architecture of Place
Final Exhibition Weekend
This is the final opportunity to experience the exhibition The Architecture of Place at the National Gallery of Iceland.
In the exhibition The Architecture of Place, curator Gavin Morrison brings together works by the American artist Donald Judd and the Icelandic artist Hörður Ágústsson. Through their architectural drawings, the exhibition reveals the parallel efforts of two artists seeking to understand and depict the architecture of their immediate surroundings.
The exhibition remains open through Sunday, May 17.
About the exhibition: Sea´s Blue Yonder | National Gallery of Iceland
The Architecture of Place Final Exhibition Weekend
Event 14.05.2026 – The House of Collections on Hverfisgata
Concert at the House of Collections
Gadus Morhua Ensemble
We warmly welcome you to a concert with Gadus Morhua on May 14 at 15:00 at the House of Collections.
As before, Gadus Morhua explores the interplay between the traditional Icelandic baðstofa and the Baroque era, reviving an evening gathering at the home of Magnús Stephensen at Innra-Hólmur through music and text. The Scottish mineralogist Sir George Steuart Mackenzie visited Iceland in 1810, and the following year published a travel account describing, among other things, his visit to Magnús and his family. The concert programme draws inspiration from Mackenzie’s travel writings, and will feature the Kiss Cantata and other works by the 18th-century Scottish composer James Oswald, performed in a new Icelandic translation by poet and cellist Steinunn Arnbjörg Stefánsdóttir. The concert begins at 15:00 and lasts approximately one hour without intermission.
The concert takes place in the beautiful Reading Room of the House of Collections. Admission is free and everyone is welcome, although regular admission applies to exhibitions in the building’s other galleries.
The project is supported by the Icelandic Artists’ Salary Fund and the Icelandic Music Fund.
Facebook Event: (20+) Kossakantatan | Facebook
Concert at the House of Collections Gadus Morhua Ensemble
Event 16.05.2026 – The House of Collections on Hverfisgata
Krummi Kids’ Club
Art Workshop: Elf Crowns
We warmly welcome you to a fun art workshop with the Krummi Kids’ Club at the House of Collections on Saturday, May 16, between 14:00 and 16:00.
Together we will explore the elf-themed artworks in the exhibition Stand Still and Turn to Stone, with special attention to the majestic Elf Queen in Finnur Jónsson’s work I Stood Outside in the Moonlight. Afterwards, we will use a variety of materials to decorate our very own crowns, created together in the workshop.
Facebook Event: (20+) Krakkaklúbburinn Krummi – Álfakórónur 👑 | Facebook
About Krummi's Kids Club: For children of all ages | National Gallery of Iceland
Krummi Kids’ Club Elf Crowns
Opening 16.05.2026 – The Folk and Outsider Art Museum at Svalbarðseyri
Iceland from Afar
Opening on May 16 at the Folk and Outsider Art Museum
The National Gallery of Iceland and the Folk and Outsider Art Museum jointly present the exhibition Iceland from Afar, opening at the Folk and Outsider Art Museum in Svalbarðseyri on Saturday, May 16 at 14:00.
The collection of the National Gallery of Iceland includes 24 landscape paintings from the mid-18th century by an unknown artist. Each painting bears an inscription linking the imagery to Iceland — for example Eyjafjallajökull and Almannagjá — yet it is clear that the artist had most likely never visited Iceland, as little in the works resembles the Icelandic landscape.
In this exhibition, these rare works are brought into the light and examined in relation to their origins, history, and imagery. Due to their age and condition, extensive conservation work has been undertaken, and one of the exhibition’s aims is to introduce visitors to the work of conservators and to draw attention to the important behind-the-scenes activities that take place within museums.
Iceland from Afar at The Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum
Art Courses 2026 – National Gallery of Iceland
A Few Spots Left in This Summer’s Art Courses! 🎨
Now is the last chance to secure a spot in the museum’s summer art courses. Most courses are already full or close to selling out.
These creative and fun summer courses are offered for children aged 6 (born 2020), 7–9 (born 2017–2019), and 10–12 (born 2014–2016), and take place in the museum’s art workshop at Fríkirkjuvegur. The courses are based on the museum’s exhibitions, where artworks are explored and emphasis is placed on developing participants’ sense of color and form.
The aim of the courses is to help children approach both nature and visual art with greater confidence and curiosity, with teaching taking place through experience, dialogue, and hands-on making. At the end of each course, an exhibition will be held for friends and family, showcasing the participants’ work.
The courses run from June 15 to August 14, from 9:00 to 12:00 each day. Instructors are Helena Reynisdóttir and Melkorka Helgadóttir.
Register here : Frístundakort Reykjavíkur | Listasafn Íslands | Námskeið | Abler
Only Few Spots Left in This Summer’s Art Courses!
Museum Shop 2026 – National Gallery of Iceland
The National Gallery of Iceland Museum Shop is filled with carefully selected gift items, greeting cards, jewellery, posters, books, and more.
Among the treasures available in the museum shop are the National Gallery Editions. The books may be purchased individually or together at a special bundle price. The set includes the following titles:
Jóhannes S. Kjarval: The Thought of Drawing
A collection book devoted to the drawings of Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885–1972). The publication explores drawing as part of the artist’s creative process, featuring a selection of works from the collection of the National Gallery of Iceland.
Ásgrímur Jónsson: Icelandic Folk Tales
A collection book focusing on Ásgrímur Jónsson’s (1876–1958) illustrations of Icelandic folk tales. The book demonstrates how he shaped the visual representation of creatures and beings from Icelandic folklore.
Crossroads – A Dialogue Between Art and Literature
A collection book in which fifteen writers and poets respond to artworks from the National Gallery of Iceland through prose and poetry.
Buy the set here: National Gallery Editions Book Set
Jóhannes S. Kjarval: The National Gallery Editions: The Thought of Drawing
Ásgrímur Jónsson: The National Gallery Editions: Ásgrímur Jónsson – Icelandic Folk Tales
Crossroads: The National Gallery Editions: Crossroads
Browse the Webstore The National Gallery of Iceland Museum Store
The National Gallery Editions