Hofgar Nauir – Creative Summer Jobs

A radical installation work in the making 

Issues that matter

The artist and activist, Þorbjörg Signý Ágústsson, has, as part of the Creative Summer Jobs programme in Hafnarfjörður, worked on the installation 'Höfgar Nauðir', which profoundly addresses important issues concerning the situation of women in Iceland.

Thorbjorg says the work is intended to interpret and stand against the injustice that affects all women in one way or another. Women experience injustice in today's society, such as prejudice, sexualisation, and a lack of safety in public places, day and night, among other things.

A strong message interpreted in structure

Thorbjorg started working on the artwork just over a year and a half ago while she was studying, but since then the work has evolved, although it still follows the same storyline.

The sculpture, which she has built herself from scratch, is life-sized and has a wooden frame, built mainly from chicken wire and newspapers. To make the work as durable as possible, especially as Þorbjörg would like to exhibit it outdoors, she will coat the wire frame with concrete. Gears will then surround the statue, with attached chains intended to symbolise the social constraints placed upon women. The idea is to attach or hang the chains from the ceiling, walls and streets, without disrupting the environment.

Wants to open up the debate on the inequality faced by women in society. 

Markmið Þorbjargar is to open up the discussion and get women to talk openly about their own limitations and privileges, but also to make the inequality tangible. „When the audience gets to experience the artwork up close, it will be difficult to deny them the harsh reality of the matter, as they stand, look at and experience these obstacles that women face in society,“ says Thorbjorg.

She therefore places great emphasis on examining how society treats women differently based on their skin colour, background, education, disability and economic status. This issue is very close to her heart, and she says her pride in the work grows with each passing day.

Great gratitude and important support

Thorbjörg says she is really grateful for this opportunity and the fantastic experience that the creative summer jobs of Hafnarfjörður have given her, allowing her creativity and her expression on an important issue to shine. She is grateful for the freedom and independence that comes with working on the project, as well as for the support she has received from the youth centre, Hamrinn, in making it this summer. Húsasmiðjan has also helped to make the work a reality, by supporting Þorbjörg with various materials.

The process and creation of the work can be followed on the social media platform Höfgar Nauðir. Þorbjörg has photographed the entire process to date and will continue to do so until the exhibition opens. The work is a long way towards its final form, but it can be followed on Instagram and Facebook.

Creative summer jobs are part of the Hafnarfjörður Summer Job Scheme – nine projects for summer 2021.

Creative summer jobs with the City of Hafnarfjörður are part of the summer programme for the Hafnarfjörður Work School. Creative summer jobs are advertised separately, and individuals and groups are invited to submit ideas for creative projects with their application. These projects are designed to bring even more life to the town over the summer, making it more fun, beautiful and diverse through artistic and creative events. Particular attention is paid to the diversity of projects and ensuring they appeal to different age groups and interests. The selected groups will then have the opportunity to liven up the social life and entertainment in the heart of Hafnarfjörður, delighting tourists and residents with all sorts of initiatives. Höfgar Nauðir is one of these projects. Eight other creative projects are being run by the Hafnarfjörður Work School this year, and these projects will also be featured on the council's media channels.