Exhibition Opening − D37 Gunnar Jónsson: Gröf

Exhibition opening: D37 Gunnar Jónsson: Gröf at Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús, Thursday 16 May at 20h00. Jónsson 37th artist to exhibit in the D-Gallery series.

In his work, artist Gunnar Jónsson focuses on his own origin, identity and environment. Gunnar was born in Reykjavík but raised in Ísafjörður, in the West Fjords of Iceland, where he now lives and works. His relationship with the capital, on the one hand, and the countryside, on the other hand, is of particular interest to him. In the work Gröf, the viewer is invited on a journey through Reykjavík where Gunnar elaborates on his background and that of his ancestors. The title of the work refers to the town of Gröf in Grafarholt, where Gunnar´s family is from, and the journey begins there. Gunnar examines the changes that have taken place in the city over recent years in a visual and acoustic way. The work is a kind of autobiography with audio accompaniment. Played on double bass and piano, the music was improvised based on the video and recorded in the living room of the artist's parents in Ísafjörður.

Born in 1988, Gunnar completed a BA degree in art from the Iceland University of the Arts in 2012. He has exhibited considerably in Iceland and abroad since graduation. He is active in various social engagements, i.e. a vice-member in the board of the Association of Reykjavík Heritage in Ísafjörður and a board member of Gallery Úthverfa.

Curator is Edda Halldórsdóttir, from Collections and Research at Reykjavík Art Museum.

Reykjavik Art Museum‘s D-Gallery exhibition series started in 2007. Emerging artists, who are shaping the local contemporary art scene, are invited to hold their first solo show in a public museum.