List of Icelandic artists
Encyclopedia
Art
has existed in Iceland
since the first settlements, but it was only at the beginning of the 20th century that Icelandic artists came to an international reputation. Mostly, they had studied in other countries, e.g. in Denmark
.
Some of the notable painters are:
moved to Iceland. His engagement with the Icelandic art scene was of great importance in introducing movements such as conceptual art
, Fluxus
, happening
s, body art
, life art and social sculpture
, which since have formed a basis for Icelandic Contemporary Art.
Some notable sculptors are:
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
has existed in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
since the first settlements, but it was only at the beginning of the 20th century that Icelandic artists came to an international reputation. Mostly, they had studied in other countries, e.g. in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
.
Painters
The most important motifs for Icelandic painters were the nature of their home country and the human being, but they also used mythical and supernatural themes as well as socio-realistic motivesSome of the notable painters are:
- Ásgrímur JónssonÁsgrímur JónssonÁsgrímur Jónsson was an Icelandic painter, and one of the first in the country to make art a professional living. He studied at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen between 1900-1903 and traveled widely after graduation....
(1876 - 1958) - Jóhannes Geir JónssonJóhannes Geir JónssonJóhannes Geir Jónsson was an Icelandic painter.He was born and raised in Skagafjörður in northern Iceland. His father was a local schoolmaster; his much younger mother died from child labour when he was 9 years old. As a child Jóhannes demonstrated a talent for drawing and painting...
(1927 - 2003) - Jóhannes Sveinsson KjarvalJóhannes Sveinsson KjarvalJóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval was an Icelandic painter. He is one of the most famous artists of Iceland.The paintings of Kjarval vary greatly in style. Most of them are rather realistic presentations of the Icelandic landscape whereas others are more influenced by a somewhat mythical style...
(1885 - 1972) - Þórarinn Þorláksson (1867 - 1924)
- Jón Stefánsson (1881 - 1962)
- Gunnar Jóhannsson (born 1956)
- Guðmundur Thorsteinsson (1891 - 1924)
- Gunnlaugur SchevingGunnlaugur SchevingGunnlaugur Scheving was an Icelandic painter.-References:...
(1904 - 1972) - Þorvaldur SkúlasonÞorvaldur SkúlasonÞorvaldur Skúlason was an Icelandic painter. He was born in Bordeyri.-References:...
(1906-1984) - Karl KvaranKarl KvaranKarl Kvaran was an Icelandic painter and draughtsman. He was born in Borðeyri in western Iceland and died in Reykjavík...
(1924-1989) - Svavar GuðnasonSvavar GuðnasonSvavar Guðnason was an Icelandic painter.-Bibliography:*...
(1909 - 1988) - Nína TryggvadóttirNína TryggvadóttirNína Tryggvadóttir was born Jónína Tryggvadóttir in Seyðisfjörður, Iceland.Nína Tryggvadóttir is one of Iceland's most important abstract expressionist artists and one of very few Icelandic female artists of her generation. Mainly working in painting she also did paper collage, stained glass work,...
(1913 - 1968) - Louisa MatthíasdóttirLouisa MatthíasdóttirLouisa Matthíasdóttir was an Icelandic-American painter.Matthíasdóttir was born in Reykjavík. She showed artistic ability at an early age, and studied first in Denmark and then under Marcel Gromaire in Paris...
(1917 - 2000) - ErróErróErró is a postmodern artist. He studied art in Norway and in Italy, and has resided in Paris, Thailand and on the island of Formentera for most of his life...
(Guðmundur Guðmundson, born 1932) - Bjarni Jónsson (artist)Bjarni Jónsson (artist)Bjarni Jónsson was an Icelandic painter.He was notable for his paintings of old Icelandic fishing boats, many of which have been added to the National Museum of Iceland, Þjóðminjasafn Íslands...
(1934-2008) - Einar HákonarsonEinar HákonarsonEinar Hákonarson is one of Iceland's best known artists. He is an expressionistic and figurative painter who brought the figure back into Icelandic painting in 1968. He is a pioneer in the Icelandic art scene and art education...
(born 1945) - Jón ÓskarJón ÓskarJón Óskar was an Icelandic poet born in Akranes.Óskar is typically categorised as one of the Icelandic Atom Poets. In addition to his poetry he and his short stories, literary articles and a novel he also produced a multi-volumed biography. He was a musician and this influenced the sound of his...
(born 1954) - Brian PilkingtonBrian Pilkington (illustrator)Brian Charles Pilkington is an English-Icelandic illustrator and artist, best known for his illustrations of many Icelandic children's books since the 1980s...
(born 1950)
Contemporary Artists
Around 1960 the Swiss-German artist Dieter RothDieter Roth
Dieter Roth was an Icelandic artist of Swiss German origin best known for his artist's books and for his sculptures and pictures made with rotting food stuffs. He was also known as Dieter Rot and Diter Rot....
moved to Iceland. His engagement with the Icelandic art scene was of great importance in introducing movements such as conceptual art
Conceptual art
Conceptual art is art in which the concept or idea involved in the work take precedence over traditional aesthetic and material concerns. Many of the works, sometimes called installations, of the artist Sol LeWitt may be constructed by anyone simply by following a set of written instructions...
, Fluxus
Fluxus
Fluxus—a name taken from a Latin word meaning "to flow"—is an international network of artists, composers and designers noted for blending different artistic media and disciplines in the 1960s. They have been active in Neo-Dada noise music and visual art as well as literature, urban planning,...
, happening
Happening
A happening is a performance, event or situation meant to be considered art, usually as performance art. Happenings take place anywhere , are often multi-disciplinary, with a nonlinear narrative and the active participation of the audience...
s, body art
Body art
Body art is art made on, with, or consisting of, the human body. The most common forms of body art are tattoos and body piercings, but other types include scarification, branding, scalpelling, shaping , full body tattoo and body painting.More extreme body art can involve things such as mutilation...
, life art and social sculpture
Social sculpture
Social sculpture is a specific example of the extended concept of art, that was advocated by the conceptual artist and politician Joseph Beuys. Beuys created the term Social Sculpture to illustrate his idea of art's potential to transform society. As an artwork it includes human activity, that...
, which since have formed a basis for Icelandic Contemporary Art.
- Sigurdís Harpa Arnarsdóttir (born 1964)
- Heimir BjörgúlfssonHeimir BjörgúlfssonHeimir Björgúlfsson is an Icelandic artist born in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1975. Heimir lives and works in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BFA from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy and an MFA from the Sandberg Institute, both in Amsterdam, The Netherlands...
(born 1975) - Gabríela Fridriksdóttir (born 1971)
- Kristján Guðmundsson
- Ragnar Kjartansson
- Ólöf NordalÓlöf NordalÓlöf Nordal is a member of parliament of the Althing, the Icelandic parliament. She is a member of the Independence Party.-External links:*...
- Steina Vasulka (born Steinunn Briem Bjarnadottir in 1940)
Sculptors
It was not until the 19th century that Icelandic artists began to create sculpture.Some notable sculptors are:
- Johann EyfellsJohann EyfellsJohann Eyfells is a sculptor, architect, and art professor. He was born in 1923 in Reykjavik, Iceland. In 1949, he married Kristin Halldorsdottir, a former Icelandic model and dress designer, who made her own career as an artist alongside of his...
(1923 - ) - Gerður HelgadóttirGerður HelgadóttirGerður Helgadóttir was an Icelandic sculptor and stained glass artist.She studied at the Art and Craft School of Iceland , in Denamrk, at the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze and at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, Paris...
(1928-1975) - Einar JónssonEinar JónssonEinar Jónsson was an Icelandic sculptor, born in Galtafell, a farm in southern Iceland.-Biography:...
| Einar Jónsson (1874 - 1954) - Gunnfríður JónsdóttirGunnfríður JónsdóttirGunnfríður Jónsdóttir was an Icelandic sculptor born in the North West of Iceland on December 26, 1889. She died in 1968.-Family:Gunnfríður's grandfather was Einar Andrésson, a rhymester who had been suspected of witchcraft...
(1889 - 1968) - Ríkharður JónssonRíkharður JónssonRíkharður Jónsson is a former Icelandic footballer.He made his debut for the Icelandic national team in 1947, and got 33 caps and 17 goals until 1965....
(1888 - 1977) - Páll GuðmundssonPáll GuðmundssonPáll Guðmundsson is a sculptor and artist.He has done part of his studies at the University of Fine Arts in Cologne, Germany....
(born 1959) - Þorbjörg PálsdóttirÞorbjörg PálsdóttirÞorbjörg Guðrún Pálsdóttir was an Icelandic sculptor. She is perhaps best known for her four green alien-like public statues Dansleikur/Dance in Reykjavík, which she completed in 1970. Other works of note include Par...
(1915-2009) - Ásmundur SveinssonÁsmundur SveinssonÁsmundur Sveinsson was an Icelandic sculptor, was born at Kolsstadir in West Iceland on May 20, 1893 and died in Reykjavík on December 9, 1982.-Early years:...
(1893 -1982)
Photographers
- Ragnar AxelssonRagnar AxelssonRagnar Axelsson, who also calls himself RAX, is a photographer born in Iceland in 1958. He has been a staff photographer of Morgunblaðið since 1976...
(RAX) - Sigfús EymundssonSigfús EymundssonSigfús Eymundsson was an Icelandic photographer and bookseller.He practiced bookbinding from a young age and in 1857 he went to Copenhagen to study the profession. In 1861 he went to Norway where he studied photography. He then operated a studio in Copenhagen for a year and a half before moving...
(1837 - 1911) - Rebekka GuðleifsdóttirRebekka GuðleifsdóttirRebekka Guðleifsdóttir is a photographer from Iceland who was named the "Web's Top Photographer" by the Wall Street Journal on July 29, 2006. -Biography:...
(1978 -)
Musicians
- Á Móti SólÁ Móti SólÁ Móti Sól is an Icelandic pop band formed in the fall of 1995 by Þórir Gunnarsson and Heimir Eyvindarson. Stefán Þórhallsson joined the band in the spring of 1997, Sævar Þór Helgason in the spring of 1998, and Magni Ásgeirsson in the fall 1999....
- AmiinaAmiinaAmiina is an Icelandic band composed of Hildur Ársælsdóttir , Edda Rún Ólafsdóttir , Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir , and Sólrún Sumarliðadóttir . They frequently perform live and in the studio along with Sigur Rós...
- AmpopAmpopAmpop is an Icelandic melodic-pop/rock band from Reykjavík, Iceland. The name of the band is actually the name of the first song they ever wrote, and is made from the words ambient and pop, which they thought was the definition of the music they were making at that time.The band was originally a...
- Apparat Organ QuartetApparat Organ QuartetThe Apparat Organ Quartet is an Icelandic band founded in 1999 by Jóhann Jóhannsson, Hörður Bragason, Músikvatur and Úlfur Eldjárn.Apparat Organ Quartet's debut album, simply entitled "Apparat Organ Quartet" was almost 3 years in the making. The Quartet's members say it took so long because they...
- Bang GangBang GangBang Gang is a melodic pop band from Iceland founded by songwriter/producer Bardi Johannsson . The band was formed in 1996, in Johannsson’s hometown of Reykjavik...
- BjörkBjörkBjörk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
and The SugarcubesThe SugarcubesThe Sugarcubes were an Icelandic alternative rock band formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. They received critical and popular acclaim internationally.-History:... - BotnleðjaBotnleðjaBotnleðja is an Icelandic rock band formed in 1994. They gained popularity when they won the 'Músíktilraunir', an Icelandic "battle between the bands" competition in 1995. The band members are guitarist and singer Heiðar Örn Kristjánsson, bass-guitarist Ragnar Páll Steinsson, and drummer Haraldur...
- Bubbi MorthensBubbi MorthensBubbi Morthens , is a singer and songwriter from Iceland. His name of birth is Ásbjörn Kristinsson Morthens, Bubbi being the affectionate form of Ásbjörn.- History :...
- Eberg
- Emiliana TorriniEmilíana TorriniEmilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir is an Icelandic singer, best known for her 2009 single Jungle Drum, 1999 album Love in the Time of Science and for performing "Gollum's Song" for Peter Jackson's film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.-Early life:Torrini grew up in Kópavogur, where, at the age of...
- FM BelfastFM BelfastFM Belfast is an electro/electronica band from Reykjavík, Iceland.Its members include Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir, Árni Rúnar Hlöðversson, Árni Vilhjálmsson and Örvar Þóreyjarson Smárason....
- GusGusGusGusGusGus are a band from Reykjavík, Iceland. They were founded in 1995. Their discography consists of eight studio albums and one live record.- History :...
- JakobínarínaJakobínarínaJakobínarína were an Icelandic six-piece indie-punk band, signed to record label Regal Recordings, through Parlophone Records. All members of the band are aged between 17 and 21 years old and originate from the town of Hafnarfjörður...
- Jóhann JóhannssonJóhann JóhannssonJóhann Jóhannsson is an Icelandic musician, composer and producer. He is a co-founder of Kitchen Motors in Reykjavík, the art organization/think tank/record label which specializes in initiating collaborations, promoting concerts and exhibitions, performances, chamber operas, producing films,...
- Jón Þór BirgissonJón Þór BirgissonJón “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson is the guitarist and vocalist for the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós. He is known for his use of a cello bow on guitar and his falsetto voice. He is also blind in his right eye and is openly gay. His boyfriend Alex Somers has done much of the graphic design for...
(Jónsi) - KUKL
- Leaves
- MagniMagniMagni may refer to:* Magni Ásgeirsson, an Icelandic singer/musician and a contestant in the CBS show Rock Star: Supernova* Magnicharters, a short word for an airline company.* Móði and Magni, the sons of Thor and Sif in Norse mythology...
(Rock Star Supernova) - MausMaus (band)Maus is a rock band from Iceland, formed in 1993. The band consists of Birgir Örn Steinarsson on vocals and guitar, Daníel Þorsteinsson on drums, Eggert Gíslason on bass, and Páll Ragnar Pálsson on guitar. Most of their songs are sung in Icelandic, though English versions of some songs have been...
- MezzoforteMezzoforte (band)Mezzoforte is an instrumental jazz-funk fusion band from Iceland. Their biggest hit single was "Garden Party" . It peaked at #17 in the UK Singles Chart...
- MínusMínusMínus is an Icelandic alternative rock/hardcore band from Reykjavík. They are signed to the record label Smekkleysa. Mínus have shared the stage with, among others, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Queens of the Stone Age...
- MugisonMugisonMugison is an Icelandic musician and singer who originally performed as a one-man band using a guitar and computer, but now often performs with a band. He studied in London to become a record producer....
- múmMúmmúm are an experimental Icelandic musical group whose music is characterized by soft vocals, electronic glitch beats and effects, and a variety of traditional and unconventional instruments.- History :...
- QuarashiQuarashiQuarashi was a rap and hip-hop group from Reykjavík, Iceland. It was composed of Hössi Ólafsson , who was the lead vocalist and frontman of the group, Ómar Swarez , rapper and hype man, and Steini a.k.a. Stoney , also rapper and hype man...
- SeabearSeabearSeabear is a Icelandic seven piece indie-folk band from Reykjavik, Iceland. Although hailing from Iceland, they sing primarily in English. They are signed to the Morr Music record label....
- Sigur RósSigur RósSigur Rós is an Icelandic post-rock band with classicaland minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound, and frontman Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto vocals and use of bowed guitar. In January 2010, the band announced that they will be on hiatus. Since then, it has since been announced...
- Singapore SlingSingapore Sling (band)Singapore Sling is an indie band from Reykjavík, Iceland.As of 2011 they have released five albums and a best of compilation. Singapore Sling have supported The Brian Jonestown Massacre on their North American tours and covered Dirty Water a 1966 garage rock hit by The Standells in their debut album...
- SlowblowSlowblowSlowblow is an Icelandic musical duo consisting of Orri Jónsson and Dagur Kári Pétursson. Their music is an aesthetic of home-made, lo-fi analog tinkerings, which often slips into both electronic and folksy terrain. They began recording in the mid 1990s and have made several albums together...
- Stafrænn HákonStafrænn HákonStafrænn Hákon is the stage name used by Icelandic musician Ólafur Josephsson. Ólafur has been making music at his home studio since 1999. Stafrænn has self released 3 albums in Iceland. Later 2 of the albums were re-released on Resonant in the UK and the debut on Secret Eye in the U.S. ...
- SólstafirSólstafirSólstafir is an Icelandic metal band, formed in 1995. The band's name is the Icelandic word for crepuscular rays.-History:The band was formed by 3 friends, Aðalbjörn Tryggvason, Halldór Einarsson and Guðmundur Óli Pálmason in January 1995...
- Tappi TíkarrassTappi TíkarrassTappi Tíkarrass was a famous Icelandic punk/pop band which added elements of funk, disco and jazz to their music, marking a difference from other traditional bands at that time...
- TrabantTrabantThe Trabant is a car that was produced by former East German auto maker VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau in Zwickau, Sachsen. It was the most common vehicle in East Germany, and was also exported to countries both inside and outside the communist bloc...
Actors
- Baltasar KormákurBaltasar KormákurBaltasar Kormákur is an Icelandic actor, theater and film director, and film producer. He is best known for directing the films 101 Reykjavík, Hafið, A Little Trip to Heaven , and a film based on the book Mýrin by Arnaldur Indriðason...
- Edda BjörgvinsdóttirEdda BjörgvinsdóttirEdda Björvinsdóttir is an Icelandic actress, comedian, writer and director, best known for playing the titular role of the 1986 comedy classic Stella í orlofi, for playing various characters in the 1986 sitcom Heilsubælið í Gervahverfi, as well as for her work in the annual comedy special...
- Hilmir Snær GuðnasonHilmir Snær GuðnasonHilmir Snær Guðnason is an Icelandic actor. He is famous in his native country and has appeared in both film and on stage. In 2000 he was named as one of European films 'Shooting Stars' by European Film Promotion...
- Ingvar E. Sigurðsson
- Magnús SchevingMagnús SchevingMagnús Örn Eyjólfsson Scheving was born 10 November 1964 to Þórveig Hjartardóttir and Eyjólfur Magnússon Scheving. He is an Icelandic writer, producer, entrepreneur, and a famous athlete. He is the creator and co-star of the children's television show LazyTown.-Career:In 1992 he became the...
- Stefán Karl StefánssonStefán Karl StefánssonStefán Karl Stefánsson is an Icelandic film and stage actor who is best known for playing the character Robbie Rotten on the television show LazyTown....
- Steinunn Ólína ÞorsteinsdóttirSteinunn Ólína ÞorsteinsdóttirSteinunn Ólina Þorsteinsdóttir is an Icelandic actress, TV show host, writer and producer.-Early life:...
- Tómas LemarquisTómas LemarquisTómas Lemarquis is an Icelandic actor. He possibly best recalled for his appearance in the 2003 Icelandic film Nói Albínói.Lemarquis is the son of French actor Gérard Lemarquis and an Icelandic mother...