The exhibition delves into Arngunnur Ýr’s personal and artistic journey following her relocation to Hawaii, presenting new and recent paintings that respond to the complex interplay of nature, history, and human settlement. Set in an area where natural beauty is giving way to development, the works are deeply intertwined with the land’s layered history. Historically, this was the site of a Native Hawaiian village, tragically swept away by a tsunami long ago. In the aftermath, the land fell into the hands of sugar barons and current economic disparities make it nearly impossible for Native Hawaiians to reclaim it. Using plant motifs as a theme, the artist engages with the landscape, reflecting on her privileged position as a newcomer able to build a home in a place where so many others cannot. Her art captures the tension between the encroachment of human development and the resilience of nature. Through the works, Arngunnur acknowledges her role within this evolving environment, posing questions about ownership, belonging and the impact of history on contemporary life. The exhibition serves as both a personal reflection and a broader commentary on the ongoing transformation of landscape, inviting viewers to consider their own relationship with place and history. Arngunnur Ýr (b. 1962) graduated with a BFA in painting from the San Fransisco Art Institute in 1986. She later attended studies at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 1989 to 1990, going on to complete her MFA in painting at Mills College, Oakland, California, in 1992. She has received various awards and recognition for her art, for example a grant from The Svavar Guðnason and Ásta Eiríksdóttir Art Award and from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation. Her works have been exhibited in Iceland, Europe and the United States and can be found in the collection of public museums, various institutions and private collectors, both in Iceland and abroad. Arngunnur divides her time between California and Iceland.