The 2020 Artist of the Year for Hafnarfjörður is Bergrún Íris.

The 2020 Artist of the Year for Hafnarfjörður is Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir, a children's book author and illustrator who in recent years has gained a good reputation for her books, both at home and abroad. The City Artist receives 1.5 million in recognition to continue their work in their art.

Sees adventures and unexpected things in the environment and everyday life.

Bergrún's first book, My Friend, the Wind, which was published in 2014, immediately attracted attention and was nominated for both the Fjörubrékka Award and the Nordic Council's Children and Young People's Literature Prize. Since then, ten books have been published by Bergrún, in which she is both the author of the text and the illustrations. In addition, Bergrún has illustrated numerous other books, including textbooks on subjects ranging from mathematics to sex education. For her book (lang)elstur að eilífu, Bergrún won the Icelandic Book Award in the children's and young people's literature category in 2019. In that book, Bergrún tackles big questions about life and death with respect and honesty. Bergrún's subjects are varied; she points out unexpected things in the environment and everyday life, helping young readers and their older helpers to see adventure everywhere. Her books include *The Night Animals*, about children who would rather stay up at night, and *Relax*, which she co-wrote with Eva Þorgeirsdóttir, introducing relaxation exercises through text and images.

Summer celebrated with the selection of a town artist

„Bergrún Íris is one of our Hafnarfjörður's rays of sunshine, and it is therefore a great pleasure and very fitting to present her with this recognition on the first day of summer. Bergrún is well deserving of this recognition; a creative and talented woman who has received numerous awards and accolades over the past year and will undoubtedly continue on that journey. It is individuals like Bergrún Íris who have made Hafnarfjörður a true city of art and culture. Individuals who see potential, opportunity and adventure around every corner and behind every stone.“ says Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Mayor of Hafnarfjörður. A tradition has developed of announcing the Artist of the Year for Hafnarfjörður when summer takes over from winter, and a presentation ceremony has been held at Hafnarborg on the last day of winter for years. In light of the current situation in society, unconventional methods were used to announce the selection this year, with the mayor visiting the artist.

Giving thanks with a book donation to all departments at nurseries in Hafnarfjörður.

Bergrún was born in 1985. She graduated with a degree in Art History from the University of Iceland and later completed a course in drawing at the Reykjavík School of Visual Arts. She has attended courses in children's book illustration and has taken part in workshops both at home and abroad. Bergrún lives in Hafnarfjörður with her husband, two sons and a three-legged cat. She has a studio in the Hafnarfjörður Icehouse, where she is an active participant in a vibrant, creative community. When selecting the town artist for Hafnarfjörður, proposals from residents are invited. „I am deeply touched and truly proud to be the Artist in Residence of Hafnarfjörður. In recent weeks, many have sought refuge in books, as reading is always an invaluable respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. I have read, but also written and created, and found peace of mind in watercolours and paper. Man's need to create does not flourish least of all in times of uncertainty. When new and difficult emotions overwhelm humanity, it is the artists who record them by lifting brushes, writing poetry and conjuring new melodies.“ says Bergrún Íris, the newly crowned Artist of the City of Hafnarfjörður 2020, grateful for the honour shown to her. Bergrún has decided to give back by donating books to all departments of Hafnarfjörður's nurseries. The other book is „The Night Animals', which is accompanied by gentle music by Ragnheiður Gröndal. The other book is called 'Ró', by Eva Rún Þorgeirsdóttir, with watercolour illustrations by Bergrún. In 'Ró', you can find simple explanations of how to achieve relaxation and inner peace.„The people of Hafnarfjörður welcomed me with open arms 12 years ago and have since then shown and proven that Hafnarfjörður hearts beat as one when the going gets tough. May as many of us as possible find peace of mind and feel as well as possible, in our best town.“ says Bergrún Íris.

Those who have received the title of Artist of the Year in Hafnarfjörður over the years are:

• 2019 – Björk Jakobsdóttir, actress and director
• 2018 – Björgvin Halldórsson, musician
• 2017 – Steingrímur Eyfjörð, visual artist
• No town artists were appointed in 2015 and 2016.
• 2014 – Andrés Þór Gunnlaugsson, musician
• No town artists were appointed between 2010 and 2013.
• 2009 – Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir, singer
• 2008 – Sigurður Sigurjónsson, actor
• 2007 – Jónína Guðnadóttir, visual artist
• 2006 – Elín Ósk Óskarsdóttir, singer
• 2005 – Sigrún Guðjónsdóttir (Rúna), visual artist

We sincerely congratulate Bergrúnu Írisi on the title and thank her for the beautiful and magnificent gift to our nurseries!