„Now it's abstract“ — A new exhibition of Sveinn's works

The twelfth exhibition of Sveinn's works in Krýsuvík

„A great many of these films that we are showing now have not been shown,“ says filmmaker Erlendur Sveinsson of the twelfth exhibition of the works of his father, Sveinn Björnsson (1925-1997).

The exhibition „Now it's abstract.“  The exhibition will be opened at Sveinssafni following the traditional spring service at Krýsuvík Church on Sunday, 14th June at 2 p.m. At around 3 p.m., there will be a coffee and cake reception in Sveinshús in Krýsuvík, opposite the old barn's silo.

Large, colourful pictures

„It has become a tradition to open an exhibition at Sveinssafn every other year, at the same time as our spring fair. It's usually very busy and churchgoers get the exhibition as an added bonus,“ says Erlendur. It's nice to feel the closeness that is created between the people and the work. Erlendur designs the exhibition, the text and the catalogues.

„Now I don't hesitate to take in large pictures. It's a riot of colour, my father's final phase when he had moved into colour,“ he says.

In the centenary year

The exhibition is being held to mark the 100th anniversary of the artist's birth, which was last year (2025). It consists of 89 works by Sveinn and 5 photographs related to the theme of the exhibition. Several exhibition postcards have also been produced for this occasion. The exhibition was supported by the Cultural Affairs Committee of the City of Hafnarfjörður.

„He leaves behind such a legacy. It's not for three small families to look after. In terms of works, it's the third-largest art collection in Iceland,“ says Erlendur of his father. „There are countless pictures in this collection that have never been exhibited.“ His father had been a great artist.

The exhibition will be open this summer. the second Sunday of the month.  Guided tours and refreshments are offered on opening days. Groups are also welcome at other times by prior arrangement. The entire house is on display. It also contains preserved furniture from their aunt, Júlíana Sveinsdóttir, one of Iceland's first female artists. Erlendur says it can be claimed that Sveinn's studio is the only preserved studio of a deceased artist in Iceland.

Made a film about his dad

Erlendur simultaneously completed the preparation and installation of the exhibition and the digitisation of his 2001 film about his father, entitled „The Painter and His Hymn about Colour“. The film deals with the same subject as the exhibition „Now It's Abstract“, or the transition from fantasy painting to abstraction, or death and resurrection in art. It will be shown in the Cinematheque of the Film Archive next winter.

Erlendur says the dream would be to have the museum more open. „Yes, and to catch tourists in this net, the tourists who stream through here. But we've soon been running the museum for thirty years, and it's all on a voluntary basis.“

Erlendur says his dad battled cancer for his last five years. „He couldn't part with his gear for the last three months of his life and has large sketchbooks and marks the Lansanum. He was working on it right up until his death. In my film, his altarpiece is created, which we hang up in the church service on Sunday,“ says Erlendur, describing his father's final moments.

„He has an exhibition at the Gerðarsafn in the month he dies. It is taken down the day he dies. We had this altarpiece accompany him when he was buried. He felt the church was missing an altarpiece. This oil painting is closely connected to the resurrection, an abstract resurrection, a heavenly aspect.

Krysuvík spring

„His art springs from Krýsuvík. His studio was there from 1974. His earliest painting, from 1952-4, is in fact of the church. Krýsuvík is the source and so it is a natural fit for the museum to establish itself there,“ says Erlendur of his father's legacy. The dream is to have the museum open more often.

„Yes, and to trap tourists in this net, tourists who stream through here. But we've been running the museum for nearly thirty years, and it's all run by volunteers.“

• See the exhibition catalogue

All are welcome to the opening and the exhibition.