3 minute read
The art of Adalheidur: Wooden creations
01 A gardener at Icelandair Hotel Fludir in South Iceland, the cradle of the country’s greenhouse farming. 02 A gentleman and a pissoir at Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina. Environmentally friendly art 0201
Visual artist Adalheidur S. Eysteinsdottir talks about her sculptures at the Icelandair hotels and the cultural happenings she organises at her home in Siglufjordur.
TEXT: Hlynur F. Thormodsson PHOTOS: Icelandair Hotels
“Eight years ago the Icelandair Hotels asked me to cooperate with them on creating an Icelandic and environmentally friendly theme for the hotel lobbies. My works were considered to fit their criteria as I have for many years recycled materials for my art creations. At the time, I was inspired by Icelandic country culture and daily life, so I ended up making wooden sculptures in the spirit of each hotel,” says Adalheidur S. Eysteinsdottir, who has been one of the most prominent artists in North Iceland for the past 30 years. In the early ’90s, she took an active part in developing the Listagilid art street in Akureyri and was named “Artist of Akureyri” for the year 2000. “The sculptures greet guests in the lobby and set the tone for the atmosphere. For example, I made a reindeer for the hotel in Egilsstadir and a skier for the one in Akureyri. I’ve just completed a work for Myvatn, a huge ogress. It’s based on the tale of a troll who lived in the area and came to Myvatn in search of food.”
Seven years ago, Adalheidur acquired the old community centre Althyduhusid in Siglufjordur, where she lives, works and operates the exhibition space Kompan. “There are nine exhibitions a year by various artists and diverse events like concerts, workshops, dance shows, lectures, poetry readings and more,” says Adalheidur. An annual performance festival is held there every Easter, this year 10–11 April, with a focus on visual art on the 10th and music on the 11th. “Of course, I work on my own art every day as well. In the past five years I haven’t held as many exhibitions as I used to, just a few smaller exhibitions every year. In July I’ll open an exhibition in Kristnes in Eyjafjordur, and I’ll also exhibit my work in Selardalur in the Westfjords, Amsterdam and Arhus, and participate in a few collaborations and workshops.” In the span of her career, Adalheidur has held over 160 solo exhibitions in 14 countries and taken part in a multitude of joint exhibitions. She has received awards and recognitions and has also received the artist salary from the Icelandic state seven times. Her works can be viewed at freyjulundur.is and althyduhusid.com.
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