Classification Steingrímur Eyfjörð

Classification is a combination of a retrospective and new works by Steingrímur Eyfjörð that were created during 2020–2021.

The exhibition is an attempt by the artist to explain the motivation behind the artwork. The works are defined and placed within a classification system, a pattern that has developed over a long career. The main categories of the exhibition are: The Intangible, The Inheritance, World of Women, Critique, God’s Own Country, Kellingin, De- code, and Comix.

For the occasion of the opening of Classification, Steingrímur Eyfjörð, Reykjanesbær Art Museum will be publishing an extensive exhibition catalogue. Articles are written by Halldór Björn Runólfsson, Aðalsteinn Ingólfsson, Benedikt Hjartarson, Jón Bjarni Atlason and Helga Þórsdóttir. The artist writes descriptions of the work in his own words.

Steingrímur Eyfjörð (b. 1954) has been an active visual artist since the 1970s and in his works, he has applied various media, used multifarious materials and taken on diverse subject matters. Steingrímur has held several solo exhibitions since 1977, in addition to taking part in numerous collaborative exhibitions both in Iceland and abroad. These include an extensive exhibition of his works in the National Gallery of Iceland in 2006 and representing Iceland at the Venice Biennale in 2007 with his work The Golden Plover Has Arrived (Icel. Lóan er komin), which is composed of 13 independent works. In 2017, he was awarded the title Municipal Artist of Hafnarfjörður, he received the DV Cultural Award for visual art in 2002 and was nominated to the Carnegie Art Award in 2004 and 2006.

Steingrímur studied at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts between 1971-1975 and in 1978 under Magnús Pálsson and Robert Filliou. He went on to study at Edinburgh University in 1977 and then graphics at Ateneum Suomen Kuvataideakatemian Koulu in Helsinki in 1979-1980. Steingrímur pursued graduate studies in new media at Jan van Eyck Academie, Maastricht, Netherlands in 1980-1983. He has been active in teaching and in artistic circles. Steingrímur lives and works in Reykjavik.

Classification is open until August 22nd 2021.

The exhibition was sponsored by Safnasjóður.

The Museum is open from 12 pm – 5 pm every day and admission is free until September.