Iceland’s endless summer days have us travelling all around the country, and whether you are an urbanite wanting to stick to the bigger cities and nearby towns, or a nature-lover looking for a breath of fresh(er) air, there is always an exciting exhibition around the corner waiting to be stumbled upon. In the capital, The Reykjavík Art Museum has diverse exhibitions in three locations: Iðavöllur – Icelandic Art in the 21st Century at Hafnarhúsið, Eternal Recurrence – an extensive exhibition at Kjarvalsstaðir including works of Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885-1972) displayed along with the works of Icelandic contemporary artists, Sirra Sigrún Sigurðardóttir & Ásmundur Sveinsson – As If to Demonstrate an Eclipse at Ásmundarsafn. You can visit all three locations and join one of Kjarvalsstaðir weekly guided tours to make a day out of it.
Or, you can go on a walk or a bike ride to see art in public space within reach: This year’s exhibition from Hjólið / The Wheel – and exhibition series initiated by the Reykjavík Association of Sculptors in public space, where works of art wind along bike- and walking paths in the city.
Steingrímur Eyfjörð
As a day trip from Reykjavík you can visit Reykjanes Art Museum for the show Classification, a retrospective and new works by Steingrímur Eyfjörð; Listasafn Árnesinga in Hveragerði, with four exhibitions on this summer; or take the ferry to Vestmanneyjar to see Erling Klingenberg’s latest show Post Power, on show all summer at Eldheimar.
The Samúel Jónsson Art Museum
To the West, Outvert Art Space’s show Ungur Temur Gamall Nemur opening in mid-July tells the history of art in Ísafjörður over the course of six weeks, through graphic design works, talks, interviews and acting as a platform for conversation. The Samuel Jónsson Art Museum is also open for the summer, located at the artist’s home and sculpture garden in Selárdalur.
LungA. Photo: Juliette Rowland
In the north, Akureyri Art Museum is hosting Limitations, the fourth biennale of works by North Icelandic artists, as well five other shows including Recent Acquisitions – an exhibition showcasing the latest works donated to their permanent collection. To finish satisfying a craving for arts and culture, head east for LungA Art Festival – the yearly festival in Seyðisfjörður where creatives gather to celebrate the arts through exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and concerts.
Check out our Summer Exhibition Guide Vol. I for a focus on outdoors art and seasonal exhibition spaces. For a full listing of exhibitions visit our events calendar.
