Ólafur Gíslason art historian will lead guests through the exhibition, Fora, Saturday 19th June at 2 p.m. in Gerðarsafn. All are welcome.
Please note that the talk will be given in Icelandic.
Rósa Gísladóttir’s three-dimensional works explore the derivation of forms and their transcendence of meaning throughout history, modern-day materials and the struggles of consumerism. Often site-specific, her work emphasizes the independent value of still life as an art form and continually delves into subjects such as sustainable development, classicism, and spirituality.
“An artwork can never be retold in words. Words have their material basis in alliteration which comes from our pharynx and reaches our ears, the material basis for the visual artwork is in its tangible material and a reflection of light, appealing to our vision and sense of touch. Hegel claimed that the artwork embodied “the perceptible manifestation of the idea.” There, he was referring to the interaction of “mind” and “matter” that European philosophy has traditionally grappled with since Plato.” – excerpt from Ólafur Gíslason’s text, Bucranium, in the exhibition catalogue.
Rósa Gísladóttir (b. 1957) studied in Germany, United Kingdom and Iceland. Her works have been exhibited far and wide, including Scandinavia House in New York, Saatchi Gallery in London, Reykjavík Art Museum, Hafnarborg and Berg Contemporary. She was the first recipient of the Gerður Helgadóttir Prize in 2020.
