Sýningaropnun

You are warmly invited to the opening of the exhibitions Veil by Sigurður Guðjónsson and Kjarval in the East at the National Gallery of Iceland on Friday, 2 October.

Veil (2012) by Sigurður Guðjónsson is a continuous 60-minute video recording, an entrancing study of grains of sand drifting across the black expanses of Skeiðarársandur. The currents of sand move ceaselessly across the undulating landscape like a delicate weave, at once soothing and seemingly endless. The artist intends the work to create a contemplative space in which viewers can switch off their conscious minds and allow their thoughts to wander.

Hula will be presented on a larger scale than before. The work was acquired by the museum in 2015.

Curator: Pari Stave
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Kjarval in the East is an exhibition of landscapes and portraits from East Iceland by Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885–1972). Borgarfjörður Eystri was Kjarval’s childhood home, and he returned there frequently throughout his adult life, drawing inspiration for his work from the majestic landscapes of the region. The works in the exhibition, 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.

Kjarval’s imagination was shaped during his formative years in Borgarfjörður Eystri, and it is clear that the landscape and culture of East Iceland played a significant role in the development of his distinctive artistic vision.

The portraits demonstrate exceptional skill in drawing, as well as a profound insight, sensitivity, and care for their subjects. Often depicting weather-beaten faces shaped by the hardships of life, these works capture the relationship between people and nature in a uniquely powerful way. Icelandic working people had never before been portrayed in this manner, and Kjarval’s portraits ultimately succeeded in capturing the spirit and heart of the Icelandic nation.

Curator: Anna Jóhannsdóttir