Programme of the week
Opening 2 October 2026 – National Gallery of Iceland
Save the date!
Two exhibitions open at the National Gallery of Iceland on Friday, 2 October
On Friday, 2 October, two new exhibitions open at the National Gallery of Iceland on Fríkirkjuvegur: Veil by Sigurður Guðjónsson and Kjarval in the East.
Veil (2012) by Sigurður Guðjónsson is a 60-minute continuous video recording, a mesmerizing documentation of grains of sand drifting across the black expanse of Skeiðarársandur. The streams of sand flow ceaselessly like a delicate fabric across the undulating landscape, at once hypnotic and seemingly endless.
Kjarval in the East presents landscapes and portraits from East Iceland by Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885–1972). Kjarval grew up in Borgarfjörður eystri and returned there frequently as an adult, drawing inspiration for his work from the area. The works, most of which are from the collection of the National Gallery of Iceland, span the period from 1919 to 1960 and include oil paintings, watercolours, prints and ink drawings.
FB: (20+) 2 X OPNUN | 2 X OPENING: Hula eftir Sigurð Guðjónsson & Kjarval á Austurlandi | Facebook
Two exhibitions open at the National Gallery of Iceland on Friday, 2 October
From Krummi Kids’ Club
Event
24 September 2026 – National Gallery of Iceland
Long Thursday
24 September
On the last Thursday of every month, the National Gallery of Iceland stays open until 22:00. This time, we are offering free admission after 17:00 to the National Gallery of Iceland, where visitors can enjoy the exhibition Metamorphlings by James Merry.
Kaktus Espressobar is also open until 22:00 on Long Thursday. A tapas platter with a glass of wine is available for a special price of ISK 2,900.
We look forward to seeing you!
FB: (20+) Fimmtudagurinn Langi - Ókeypis aðgangur | Good Thursday - Free Entry | Facebook
Free admission after 17:00
Event
26 September 2026 – Einar Jónsson Museum
Krummi Kids’ Club
Art Workshop: Clay in the Sculpture Garden
We warmly welcome you to a fun clay workshop with Krummi Kids’ Club at the Einar Jónsson Museum on Saturday, 26 September, from 14:00 to 16:00.
The garden of the Einar Jónsson Museum is home to many beautiful and fascinating sculptures. Using clay and natural materials such as autumn leaves and branches, we will create our own outdoor artworks while enjoying Einar Jónsson’s sculptures in the garden. The workshop will take place outdoors, weather permitting. In case of bad weather, it will be held inside the museum.
Free for the whole family!
Clay in the Sculpture Garden
Event
27 September 2026 – National Gallery of Iceland
Artist Talk
James Merry | Metamorphlings
Welcome to an artist talk at the National Gallery of Iceland on Sunday, 27 September at 14:00, where curator Pari Stave will be in conversation with James Merry about the exhibition Metamorphlings.
Over the past decade, James Merry has created masks that function as agents of transformation, catalysts for performance and portals to altered identities. At the heart of the exhibition is the moment of metamorphosis – when form and self begin to merge. Metamorphlings is the first retrospective exhibition of Merry’s work and features more than eighty works.
The masks demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship, combining traditional techniques with innovative approaches, including embroidery, metalwork, 3D printing, silversmithing and interactive digital works. Together, they form an evolving constellation of creations that offers profound insight into Merry’s enduring fascination with the natural world, as well as his interest in archaeology and ancient rituals.
Please note: The conversation will be in English.
Museum admission applies.
Artist Talk with James Merry
Exhibition 2026 – The Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum
Iceland Imagined
Exhibition ends 4 October
Hidden within the collection of the National Gallery of Iceland are 24 remarkable landscape paintings from the 18th century, all bearing titles that refer to Iceland. The artist is unknown, and there are strong indications that they never set foot on Icelandic soil. Instead, the artist appears to have created their own vision of the country based on sources including travel books and maps.
This is your last chance to experience this rare vision of Iceland in the exhibition Iceland Imagined at the Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum in Svalbarðseyri. The exhibition is a collaboration between the National Gallery of Iceland and the Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum and runs until 4 October 2026.
Iceland Imagined at The Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum
Margrét Blöndal
Autumn Course 2026 – The Einar Jónsson Museum
Course: Drawing at the Einar Jónsson Museum
Due to popular demand, we have decided to offer an additional drawing course with Margrét Blöndal in October.
Over the course of three evenings, participants will have the opportunity to explore the visual world of artist Einar Jónsson. From the space itself – his largest sculpture – to individual works that provide inspiration for drawing, the museum and its atmosphere will play a central role. Participants will spend time in the museum’s galleries, which once also served as the artist’s studio and home. The emphasis will be on flow and creative approaches to drawing.
The course will explore the fundamental elements of drawing: form, line and movement.
The course is suitable both for beginners and for those wishing to develop their drawing skills further.
All materials are provided.
Dates and times: October 15th, 22nd and 29th, 5:15–7:00 pm
Location: The Einar Jónsson Museum, Hallgrímstorg 3
Instructor: Margrét Blöndal, artist
Registration to all courses here
Drawing at the Einar Jónsson Museum
Ólafur Kvaran
Course for adults 2026 – The Einar Jónsson Museum
The Symbolic World of Sculpture and the Artistic Career of Einar Jónsson
This course explores Einar Jónsson’s artistic career, the history of the museum, and his artistic philosophy within both Icelandic and international contexts. Participants will also examine the symbolic world of Einar’s sculptures from an art historical perspective and discuss how his work has been received in Iceland.
Note: the course will be held in Icelandic
Dates and times: October 14th and 21nd, 5:15–7:00 pm
Location: The Einar Jónsson Museum, Hallgrímstorg 3
Instructor: Ólafur Kvaran, art historian and former Director of the National Gallery of Iceland
Registration to all courses here
The Symbolic World of Sculpture and the Artistic Career of Einar Jónsson
Melkorka Ólafsdóttir
Course for adults 2026 – The Einar Jónsson Museum
Creative Writing Workshop at the Einar Jónsson Museum
The artist’s ideas and selected works will serve as inspiration for creative writing. Participants will be introduced to simple and practical tools for developing texts based on visual observation and personal reflection.
Note: the course will be held in Icelandic
Dates and times: November 4th and 11th, 5:15–7:00 pm
Location: The Einar Jónsson Museum, Hallgrímstorg 3
Instructor: Melkorka Ólafsdóttir, Radio producer at the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service and poet
Registration to all courses here
Creative Writing Workshop at the Einar Jónsson Museum
Steinunn Harðardóttir & Nathalie Jacqueminet
Artworks at home - how to take care of them
Conservators from the National Gallery of Iceland will share practical advice on how to care for artworks and objects at home. Topics include handling, display, hanging, packing, transportation, and storage, as well as the key factors that contribute to their long-term preservation.
Note: the course will be held in Icelandic
Dates and times: November 18th and 25th, 5:15–7:00 pm
Location: The National Gallery, Fríkirkjuvegur 7
Instructors: Nathalie Jaqueminet and Steinunn Harðardóttir, conservators
Registration to all courses here
Artworks at home - how to take care of them