The Svavar Guðnason and Ásta Eiríksdóttir Support Fund was awarded for the 14th time today, November 21, marking a total of 22 artists who have received grants since the fund's establishment in 1995. Dedicated to supporting young and promising artists, the fund received 45 applications this year.
The 2024 grants were awarded to Emma Heiðarsdóttir and Logi Leó Gunnarsson. Emma graduated with a master’s degree from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in 2018 and has been actively participating in exhibitions in Iceland and abroad ever since. She has held ten solo exhibitions and taken part in numerous group shows at prestigious museums. Emma has also received various grants and accolades, including artist salaries and support from Myndstef and the Center for Visual Arts. Her work often combines intuition and humor to explore her surroundings, casting new and unexpected light on familiar situations.
Logi Leó, who earned his BA degree from the Iceland University of the Arts in 2014, has also made a significant impact on the art scene. He has participated actively in Icelandic visual arts while exhibiting internationally in cities like Copenhagen, Berlin, and Moscow. Recognized for his innovative works, Logi frequently uses sound as the starting point for his pieces, often combining it with movement to create tension that captivates his audience.
Since its inception, the fund has supported a diverse group of artists, including Ósk Vilhjálmsdóttir (1995), Helgi Hjaltalín Eyjólfsson (1997), Kristín Gunnlaugsdóttir (1997), Arngunnur Ýr Gylfadóttir (1999), Guðný Rósa Ingimarsdóttir (1999), Þóroddur Bjarnason (1999), Olga Bergmann (2003), Hildur Bjarnadóttir (2005), Sigga Björg Sigurðardóttir (2005), Birgir Örn Thoroddsen (Curver) (2009), Sara Riel (2009), Sirra Sigrún Sigurðardóttir (2012), Ingunn Fjóla Ingþórsdóttir (2012), Jóhanna Kristbjörg Sigurðardóttir (2013), Ragnar Þórisson (2013), Þór Sigurþórsson (2015), Fritz Hendrik Berndsen (2017), Katrín Inga Jónsdóttir Hjördísardóttir (2017), Steinunn Önnudóttir (2019), and Melanie Ubaldo (2021).
The fund is managed by the National Gallery of Iceland, with the board consisting of Björn Karlsson, Matthías Matthíasson, Guðmundur Andri Thorsson, and the director of the National Gallery. The allocation committee is composed of representatives from the Iceland University of the Arts, the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists, and the National Gallery of Iceland.
The board of the Fund with the artists: Karl Björnsson, Emma Heiðarsdóttir, Logi Leó Gunnarsson, Matthías Matthíasson og Ingibjörg Jóhannsdóttir