Mutes – Speechless Kernels – Sigurdur Gudmundsson

In this exhibition at Hafnarhús Sigurður Guðmundsson presents twenty large photographic works which he calls Speechless Kernels. These previously undisplayed works are Guðmundsson’s first works of photography since 1980. The new works are, specifically, large-frame analogue photographs shot with a technical camera. They are attached to aluminum backing and presented in wood frames, behind glass. Although these are straight photographs that have not been manipulated in any way, their large scale brings them into a different relationship to the audience than traditional photographs. With their tableau-sized format, they confront the beholder more like paintings, or sculptures.

Sigurður Guðmundsson began his artistic career during the sixties. One of Iceland’s best-known artists on the international scene, Sigurður divides his life and work between Holland, Iceland, Sweden, and, in recent years, Xiamen and Beijing, China. His work has been shown in most major European cities and his large-scale sculptures can be found in public spaces throughout Scandinavia and Central Europe.