A retrospective of Icelandic sculptor, Gerður Helgadóttir (1928–1975). A seminal artist of the twentieth century, Gerður was a pioneer of abstract sculpture in Iceland and created works in stained glass and mosaic. She passed away beyond her years at only 47 years of age.
The exhibition is set up by selected themes, each of which highlight periods of Gerður’s life and artistic practice, in an attempt to represent the artist’s oeuvre. FOUNDATION offers insights into Gerður’s first steps as an art student, a time when her works evolve quickly from traditional academic approaches towards the modernist experimentations of her first years in Paris. STUDIO represents new methods she takes up with her first abstract iron works. WINDOW highlights the period when she works on stained glass windows both in Iceland and on the continent, as well as her increased interest in spiritualism and symbolism. GARDEN refers to the time in Gerður’s life when she returns to formal methods and materials in sculpture. The artist was setting up an exhibition of her work in her garden in France at the time. SPACE showcases Gerður’s last works, projects and ideas, many of them taking space in public places.
The basis of the exhibition consists of roughly fourteen hundred works by Gerður Helgadóttir in the collection of Gerðarsafn – Kópavogur Art Museum. The museum was founded in honour of the artist after the municipality received a generous donation from her relatives in 1977, making it the only Icelandic art museum named and founded in honour of a female artist. Gerðarsafn opened to the public in 1994. The exhibition is set up on the artist’s 90th anniversary and is supported by the Museum Council of Iceland.
Exhibition team:
Kristín Dagmar Jóhannesdóttir, director
Brynja Sveinsdóttir, exhibition and collection manager
Studio Studio / Arnar Freyr Guðmundsson, graphic design
Friðrik Steinn Friðriksson & Hreinn Bernharðsson, exhibition design
Hrafnhildur Gissurardóttir, education and events
