A standalone follow-up to the exhibition 'Dýr' held from 23-26 October 2025 at LG.
„As an observer, I see animals – and most children – as free, sincere and honest beings. These qualities captivate me. But living entirely by these values can be risky if you don't know how to protect yourself. It's naive to think that everyone wants what's best for you and others.
The human being is perhaps the weakest, the cleverest, the cruellest, the kindest and the most unpredictable of all species. We learn early to hide ourselves – to conceal our true selves.
Vulnerability involves courage and sincerity.
Of course, you don't like everything, but there's no reason to belittle those who have the courage to show themselves as they are.
The story of the painting with the eagle, the cockerel and the little chick is something like this:
The rooster reigns as king in his kingdom. The eagle comes to him and tells him of all the beauty of the world – a world much bigger than the chicken coop he rules. The little chick hears their conversation and longs to see the world – but cannot, because he is not able to fly.
Nunna – or abbess – told me this story when I visited a convent in France. I gave her four animal cards as a token of my gratitude for welcoming me and allowing me to stay there for a few days.
The world lives within us all –
and yet he is so much bigger.“
Alongside the animal paintings in the exhibition, Laufey presents men in a new light — vulnerable, naked and humble in a series of photographs. By working with an antique camera and referencing the tradition of the “old masters” who often painted female nudes, the artist tackles questions of power, vulnerability and shared human existence. The photographs are a reminder that despite our different stories and bodies, we are all made of the same stuff — fragile, beautiful and mortal.
The vinyl record DÝR, released to mark the exhibition, consists of recordings all related to animals. In this way, the artist is exploring the roots of her teenage years as a singer and finds the courage to bare herself in this manner.
There will be a special exhibition opening on Thursday, 11th December from 18:00-21:00 and you are welcome!
Other opening times:
Fri. 12th Dec. 12:00 – 18:00
Sat. 13th Dec. 13:00 – 18:00
Sun. 14th Dec. 13:00 – 17:00
Wed. 17th Dec. 16:00 – 18:00
Fri. 18 Dec 16:00 – 18:00
Fri. 19 Dec 17:00 – 20:00
Sat. 20th Dec. 13:00 – 20:00
Sun. 21st Dec. 13:00 – 18:00
Mon. 22 Dec 17:00 – 20:00
Wed. 23 Dec 13:00 – 21:00 (Christmas Eve)
LG // Litla Gallerý is supported by the Culture and Tourism Committee.
Hafnarfjörður's due to the event
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Independent continuation of the exhibition Animal from 23rd-26th October 2025 in LG.
„As a viewer, I see animals—and most children—as free, sincere, and honest beings. These qualities move me deeply. Yet to live entirely by such values can be perilous if one does not know how to protect oneself.
It is naive to believe that everyone wishes others well.
Perhaps the human creature is the weakest, cleverest, cruelest, kindest, and most unpredictable of all species. We learn early to hide—to veil our true selves.
In vulnerability lie courage and sincerity.
We may not like everything, but there is no need to belittle those who have the bravery to reveal themselves.
The story behind the painting of the eagle, the rooster, and the little chick unfolds like this:
The rooster reigns as king of his small realm.
The eagle visits and tells of the vast beauty beyond the chicken yard. The little chick overhears their words and longs to see the world—but cannot, for it has no wings.
A nun—an abbess—told me this story when I visited a monastery in France. I gave her my four animal cards as a token of gratitude for her kindness and for allowing me to stay for a few days.
The world exists within us all — and yet, it is so much greater.“
Alongside the animal paintings in the exhibition, Laufey presents men in a new light — vulnerable, naked and humble in a series of photographs. With these works, Laufey seeks a dialogue with the old masters who used the nudity of women as their subject matter. To emphasise that connection, she utilises an ancient camera—where the world turns upside down when viewed through the lens.
The photographs are not only images of the body but a reflection of the person: shy, fragile, and delicate. Despite different stories and backgrounds, we share the same core essence—the same existence. In these images, I search for what unites us, without masks, without defences, where beauty appears in sincerity and humility.
The vinyl album DÝR, released to mark the exhibition, consists of songs all related to animals. In this way, the artist is searching for the roots of her teenage years as a singer and gaining the courage to expose herself in this way.
There will be a special exhibition opening on Thursday, 11th December from 18:00-21:00 and you are welcome!
Other opening hours:
Fri. 12 Dec 12:00 – 18:00
Sat. 13 Dec 13:00 – 18:00
Sun. 14 Dec 13:00 – 17:00
Wed. 17 Dec 16:00 – 18:00
Thu. 18 Dec 16:00 – 18:00
Fri. 19 Dec 17:00 – 20:00
Sat. 20 Dec 13:00 – 20:00
Sun. 21 Dec 13:00 – 18:00
Mon. 22 Dec 17:00 – 20:00
Tue. 23 Dec 13:00 – 21:00 (St. Lucia's Day)
LG // Litla Gallerý is sponsored by the Culture and Tourism Committee of Hafnarfjörður for this event.