Programme of the week
Andreas Eriksson Askberg, 2020 oil on canvas 198.5 x 243.5 x 4.5 cm
Listasafnsfélagið, the Friends of the National Gallery of Iceland, will be re-established at a meeting held at the National Gallery of Iceland, Fríkirkjuvegur 7, on Thursday, January 9th, at 5:00 p.m. The meeting is open to all, and everyone is welcome to become a founding member. Membership dues are set at 5000 ISK.
The initiative is spearheaded by Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Reimar Pétursson, and Salvör Nordal. The association will operate within the framework of Act 110/2021 on non-profit organizations, with its primary goal being to support the National Gallery of Iceland. With limited funding for acquisitions, the gallery’s aspiration to become a world-class institution depends on acquiring more key works by Icelandic and international artists.
The association plans to host two exclusive annual events for its members and organize fundraising activities to benefit the National Gallery of Iceland.
Over the years, many artists and benefactors have generously supported the gallery through donations of artworks and financial contributions. The largest single donation came in 1980 from Helga Jónsdóttir and Sigurliði Kristjánsson, valued today at nearly one billion ISK. Recently, the heirs of Þorvaldur Guðmundsson and Ingibjörg Guðmundsdóttir, associated with the company Síld og Fisk, gifted the gallery approximately 1,400 works.
The soon-to-be-established association has already received a pledge from Birgir Þór Bieltvedt and Eygló Björk Kjartansdóttir, offering a magnificent piece by renowned Swedish painter Andreas Eriksson. The artist has noted that the work is inspired by Icelandic nature.
The original National Gallery Society operated briefly in the 1950s and contributed several notable international contemporary works to the gallery. Gunnlaugur Þórðarson, a lawyer and art enthusiast, served as its chairman.
We warmly welcome you to join us at the founding meeting! Katrín Jakobsdóttir will introduce the new society, while Logi Einarsson, the new Minister of Culture, will deliver an address. Ingibjörg Jóhannsdóttir, Director of the National Gallery of Iceland, will also give a short presentation.
With best regards,
The Preparatory Committee for Listasafnsfélagið
Steina, Violin Power I, 1970–1978 Video, 10,04 min.
The National Gallery of Iceland and the Reykjavík Art Museum present a collaboration on an extensive exhibition of the works of visual artist Steina Vasulka.
The National Gallery of Iceland and the Reykjavík Art Museum are proud to present a collaboration on a comprehensive exhibition of the works of visual artist Steina Vasulka. The exhibition will open in both museums on October 4, 2025, occupying the country's two main art museums. Steina is internationally recognized as a leading pioneer in video and new media art; she is also a major influence on contemporary art in Iceland. Her work uniquely connects video art, music, and technology in ways that are both highly inventive and playful.
The exhibition is the first major retrospective of Steina's work in Iceland. It will span the entire scope of Steina's artistic career, from early experiments in documentary video work to her most recent installations from the early 2000s. Taken together, the retrospective traces the development of Steina’s ideas and technological innovations over several decades.
House of Collections
05.01.25 II 2pm-4pm
Twelfth Night
Samtökin ‘78 and the National Gallery of Iceland invite families to a Twelfth Night celebration at the House of Collections, Hverfisgata 15, on Sunday, January 5th, from 2–4 p.m.
More: Twelfth Night | National Gallery of Iceland
Facebook: Þrettándagleði | Facebook
The National Gallery
Thursdays from 3pm to 4:30pm
The Workshop
The National Gallery of Iceland offers a creative and exciting art course for children in its art workshop at Fríkirkjuvegur 7.
The course is inspired by the museum's exhibitions, where participants will explore the artworks while focusing on enhancing their color and form perception. Children will have the opportunity to use a variety of materials and work in different mediums such as painting and sculpture.
The aim of the course is to encourage children to approach visual art with greater confidence and curiosity. Teaching will take place through hands-on experiences, discussions, and artistic creation. At the end of the course, an exhibition will be held for friends and family to showcase the results of the children’s work.
More: The Workshop – Art Course for Spring Semester 2025 | National Gallery of Iceland
Last Days of the Exhibition
Looking Inward, Looking Outward: 140 years of the National Gallery of Iceland
To mark the 140th anniversary of the National Gallery of Iceland, a special exhibition was unveiled to celebrate this milestone. Titled Looking Inward, Looking Outward: 140 years of the National Gallery of Iceland, the exhibition features works by nearly 100 artists, significant donations made to the gallery, and pieces acquired throughout its history.
The exhibition is thoughtfully divided into four sections: Society, Depictions of People, Form, Lines, and Colors, and Humanity and Nature. Spanning all four halls of the gallery, it will close in stages. The section Humanity and Nature will be the first to close, with its final day on Sunday, January 5th.