Wall art by Juan unveiled in Hafnarfjörður

Cultural consumption can have good physical and mental effects. 

A mural by the artist Juan now adorns the gable at 4 Strandgata. The work is a collage of selected public artworks from the town. This is therefore not just a new, temporary piece of street art in a public space, which has a positive effect on and beautifies its surroundings, but it also draws attention to other works of art in the town. The mural features a QR code which links to Information page about outdoor artworks widely in Hafnarfjörður. It is hoped that this beautiful work will capture the interest of passers-by in the art of their local surroundings in the wellness town of Hafnarfjörður, as research shows that cultural consumption can have positive physical and mental effects. 

Has attracted well-deserved attention for their street art 

By the end of 2021, the artist Juan (who runs the site Juan Pictures Art) contact with the City of Hafnarfjörður regarding whether the city had a building on which a beautiful mural could be painted. In recent semesters, Juan has attracted attention for his murals, both indoors and in public spaces, throughout the country. The Culture and Tourism Committee of Hafnarfjörður welcomed the proposal and asked Juan to develop a concept for a mural on the gable of 4 Strandgata, which has previously been adorned with various murals. 

Hafnarfjörður is home to numerous works of outdoor art.

Hafnarfjörður is a town full of outdoor art, which can be explored on utilistaverk.hafnarborg.is, Juan presented a sketch for a collage featuring selected sculptures of the town. All the artists or their descendants were contacted, and they all kindly gave permission for images of the works to be used on the mural, for which they are most gratefully thanked. The mural features a QR code linking to the website of the cultural and art centre Hafnarborg, which details the public art works under the institution's care, so that people visiting the centre of Hafnarfjörður can access information and the map directly online and enjoy a walk around the town to see the many outdoor artworks that adorn it. Residents are strongly encouraged to take a walk around the town, pause and allow the art to uplift their spirits. 

The mural features the following works of art and monuments:

• Adoration by Ásmundur Sveinsson
• Shelter from the Wind by Barbara Tieaho
• The Golden Gate by Eliza Thoenen-Steinle
• Monument to the first Lutheran church by Hartmut Wolf or Lupus
• Troll by Pál of Húsafell
• The Hafnarfjörður Variation by Sebastian
• A Bad Relationship by Sonja Renard
• Untitled work by Sólveig Baldursdóttir
• One Hundred Years of Solitude and work without title by Sverrir Ólafsson
• The Watch by Timo Solis

• Voyage by Thorkell Gunnar Gudmundsson

 The mural was unveiled by Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, the mayor, earlier today, but it has already attracted well-deserved attention during its creation. It is highly likely that Juan will continue to decorate the walls of Hafnarfjörður, as the Cultural and Tourism Committee has already proposed that the wall of the Hafnarfjörður Library be decorated next.

The artist Juan, together with the mayor, the project manager for culture and marketing, staff from Hafnarborg, and representatives on the Culture and Tourism Committee. From left: Hólmar Hólm, Andri Ómarsson, Juan, Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Aldís Arnardóttir, Guðbjörg Oddný Jónasdóttir and Sigurður Þ. Ragnarsson.