Nature captures attention at two exhibitions at Hafnarborg
The work of artists Arngunnur Ýr and Pétur Thomsen sheds light on disruption in nature. They each have their own exhibition at Hafnarborg at the moment. Admission to Hafnarborg is free, and it's lovely to pop in and enjoy the art. Open every day except Tuesdays.
Nature in the pictures of Hafnarborg
„It's moving to see how the artist sheds light on nature,“ says Aldís Arnardóttir, director of the Hafnarborg Museum, looking at the works of artist Pétur Thomsen, which are on display at the museum until 16 February. Photographs that at first glance appear to be in three dimensions.
„Yes, I've seen people press their cheeks against the wall to see if that's the case,“ says Aldís, smiling at the amateur's assertions as he now runs around the museum, admiring the works before this text is written.
„The pictures speak to you,“ she says. „Pétur shows us how a photograph can be something different and more than what most of us imagine. The pictures have a great appeal and move you.“
In addition to Pétur's exhibition, Settlement,An exhibition by Arngunnur Ýr, called I'm sorry, but I can't help with that.. They correspond to Pétur's photographs, as they both deal with earthworks and changes to the landscape, albeit in different ways. He photographs. She paints.
In a description of Pétur's exhibition, it is stated that the actions of humanity over the past centuries have changed the world so much that a new geological epoch is spoken of: the Middle Ages (e.g. AnthropoceneHe has been working on the exhibition for several years, but is now showing the works as a whole for the first time in a solo exhibition.
Peter Thomsen was born in 1973 and graduated with an MFA in photography from the École nationale supérieure de la photographie in Arles, France, in 2004. Previously, he studied French, art history and archaeology at the Université Paul Valéry in Montpellier and fine art photography at the École supérieure des métiers artistiques in the same city. Pétur has received various awards and accolades, including the LVMH Prize in 2004, which was then in its 10th year and awarded to a young artist. He was then nominated by the Musée de L'Élysée in Lausanne as one of 50 photographers likely to make their mark on the future history of photography in the project reGeneration: 50 Photographers of Tomorrow. Pétur lives and works in Sólheimar, Grímsnes.
A painting by Arngunnur Ýr on the left and a photograph by Pétur Thomsen on the right. The works are part of their exhibition at Hafnarborg.
Land use on canvas
Arngunnur Ýr exhibits new and recent paintings, focusing on her own settlement in Hawaii, as well as reflecting on the interplay between the environment, history and land use.
„The artist bases the works on motifs of the vegetation that characterises the area, and reflects on her own position of privilege as an outsider, where she is able to enjoy a landscape that is out of reach for many. The works also capture the tension that arises when near-pristine nature is transformed into new development,“ states the exhibition description.
Arngunnur Ýr was born in 1962 and graduated with a BFA in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1986. She was later a visiting student at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 1989 to 1990, but returned to California and completed a Master of Fine Arts from Mills College in Oakland in 1992. She has received various awards and accolades for her work, such as from the Svavar Guðnason and Ásta Eiríksdóttir Fund, and in 2005 she received a grant from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation. Her work has been exhibited in Iceland, Europe and the United States, and her pieces are held in public and private collections both at home and abroad. Arngunnur lives in California and Iceland.
Port city It is open every day except Tuesdays. Admission to the museum is free. This is therefore an opportunity worth seizing and enjoying.