Contemporary painting from Iceland is the subject of the new exhibition “Hérna” in Hangar-7 in Salzburg, Austria. In questionnaires each participating artist gave background information about their paintings. This time it’s Birgir Snjaebjörn Birgisson, who depicts drastic motives with reputed “over-exposed” colors.

What is it that makes Icelandic art typical and distinctive?

What makes it distinctive is the fact that our country has a very short history in art and thus has the urge to seek influences from the outside world. I’d say the contemporary art scene in Iceland is very international.

What role does your country play, its history and its aura, in your own works?

None, I would say.

What, then, are the topics and feelings that you process in your art?

The topics are of a political nature or refer to political matters. The feelings are therefore processed by the individual viewer each time the works are observed.

Is there something like an instruction manual for your pictures – an ideal way of getting closer to the secret and intention behind the picture?

I like to see my works as a platform open for discussion. Of course the way they’re painted aims at drawing the viewer closer to the work for a more personal conversation.

Please disclose to us how one of the works displayed in the exhibition was created ...

Take the blonde nurse series, for instance. It all came about after I heard a talk on the BBC regarding a comment made by British MP Diane Abbot that too many blonde nurses had been hired by British hospitals.

... and the story of a chosen detail that is visible in one of your paintings.

What was originally planned as only one painting of a group of blonde nurses became a massive series. I became fascinated with what the nurse represents.
Luigi Caputo
Birgir Snaebjörn Birgisson
Vigfus Birgisson
Birgir Snaebjörn Birgisson, from the series
Vigfus Birgisson
Birgir Snaebjörn Birgisson, from the series