Arngunnur Ýr

In her paintings, Arngunnur Ýr interprets Icelandic landscape from a unique perspective of a nature guide.

Arngunnur Ýr (Iceland, born 1962), *Skaftafell–Pia I*, 2021, oil on birch panel, 48 x 60 inches. Courtesy of the artist. © Arngunnur Ýr. Photograph by Bára Kristinsdóttir

Arngunnur Ýr (Iceland, born 1962), *Skaftafell–Pia II*, 2021, oil on birch panel, 48 x 60 inches. Courtesy of the artist. © Arngunnur Ýr. Photograph by Bára Kristinsdóttir

Over the years, she has observed changes in the land and its nearby glaciers. To challenge her experience of the familiar landscape in Iceland, Ýr traveled to Patagonia, both Argentina and Chile, to the edge of the giant Pia Glacier. She recognized similarities, both visually and ecologically, between the natural worlds of Iceland and Patagonia. Most noticeable changes relate to the increasing pace of ice melting.

In a new series of paintings on view, Ýr invents new landscapes by merging views from the northern and southern hemispheres, including the wilderness area in Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park called Skaftafell and the huge Pia Glacier that lies in a fjord along the Chilean Patagonia coast.

“I am not interested in creating ‘ordinary’ landscapes, and I deliberately don’t use ‘correct’ colors. It would be easy to paint traditional landscapes in earthy colors that many people are interested in having on their walls, but that’s done with. This needs to be a new journey.”

— Arngunnur Ýr

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Arngunnur Ýr

In her paintings, Arngunnur Ýr interprets Icelandic landscape from a unique perspective of a nature guide.

Guest UserFebruary 11, 20222022 nat artist

Arngunnur Ýr

In her paintings, Arngunnur Ýr interprets Icelandic landscape from a unique perspective of a nature guide.

Explore more artworks from North Atlantic Triennial

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Arngunnur Ýr

In her paintings, Arngunnur Ýr interprets Icelandic landscape from a unique perspective of a nature guide.

Explore more artworks from North Atlantic Triennial

VISITEXHIBITIONSPROGRAMS & EVENTSPMA FILMSJOIN & GIVELearnWINSLOW HOMER STUDIO

Art For AllSustainabilityABOUT THE PMADonate OnlinePRESS ROOMANNUAL REPORTSPMA Recommends

Facility RentalBOARD OF TRUSTEEScareersDIRECTORYIMAGE SERVICESTerms of UseContact US

LOG IN: Staff | Docents | Trustees

VISIT
EXHIBITIONS
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
PMA FILMS
JOIN & GIVE
Learn
WINSLOW HOMER STUDIO

Art For All
Sustainability
ABOUT THE PMA
Donate Online
PRESS ROOM
ANNUAL REPORTS
PMA Recommends

Facility Rental
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
careers
DIRECTORY
IMAGE SERVICES
Terms of Use
Contact US