My Heart is Wide Open

Gabríela Friðriksdóttir is one of Iceland's most outstanding artists. In this interview she talks about her art, Icelandic artists and increased international interest in Icelandic culture.

Gabríela will stand out from any crowd. Her inside- out Icelandic woolen vest has become her trademark piece of clothing, whether she is in a bar or walking down the street. She has travelled the world over with her art and gathered fans both in Europe and America. Her claim to fame on the international art scene hasn't gone to her head and both her feet are firmly on the ground. She participated in the Venice Biennial last year, her piece Versasions/Tetralogia at the Biennial being a greater task than she had ever worked on before. A lot of artists contributed to it; architects, filmmakers, dancer Erna Ómarsdóttir, musicians Daníel Ágúst and Björk among others. Since the Biennial she is busier then ever.

Back home

Not so long ago Gabriela moved back home from Brussels where she had been living for three years. She originally moved to Brussels because of her frequent participation in European exhibitions. Her need to travel easily between places and always flying from Iceland had gotten very expensive. "When there is so much interest in the art that I make it is very important that I can be there to meet people"she says.

For artists it takes a lot of effort to introduce their art and Gabriela has Gallerí i8 at home and Spielhouse Morrison gallery in Berlin to help her. "It's very important when I get an opportunity like participating in the Venice Biennial that people know who I am. I had been going to art fairs and creating a network of people who help me get noticed."

It's always a certain group of people who keep up with the art world and follow it but the general public often have no idea what takes place on the art scene. Do you think it's a rather closed world that you are working in? "Yes, but I believe this is changing very fast everywhere in the world and also here in Iceland. The private sector has entered the world of modern art with a great force and for some reason it has become fashionable to collect modern art. It's almost like people got bored gambling on horse races and started gambling with art instead. Art has also changed from being serious and academic to being fun."

Gabríela the artist

What kind of artist is Gabríela? "She is actually in a weird place. When I first started introducing my art in Europe some people ran away, they thought I was outrageous and all over the place, it was too much for them to handle. I'm not afraid to mix music, dance, performance, paintings, sculptures and drawings all together. Galleries are often so elegant, white and neat. Not everybody thought it was neat to have a piece of dirt and a figure with tree branches on their gallery floor so I don't fit in everywhere. I always know where I fit in and where not. Perhaps it's very Icelandic not to be afraid and have the guts to do whatever."

For Gabríela the work itself comes first and the exhibitions are just samples of all the work. "I've always been a hard worker and ready to work until the wee hours of the morning. For those who don't like waking up in the morning and going to work, this is not a job for them."

Did you always know this is what you wanted to do?

"Yes, I think I was born under a lucky star. I only meet great people and my family is also great. I've always been lead the way and ended up in exactly the places that I wanted to be in. I probably wanted to be a doctor or something very important when I was a kid but I was always up to something and always had to make the ideas in my head come to live."

To Gabríela it is very important not to be afraid. She is never afraid that something is not going to sell or that she won't have any money because the fear closes the doors on opportunities. "I have to make sure my heart is wide open. And believe that this is what I want and what I do best and that's why it works. Of course it's never guaranteed that someone will wants my artwork on their living room wall, but it is this uselessness - although the word sounds negative - that makes art so fascinating. Art is something that has always been there and is a certain need but at the same time it can be totally redundant. Everything is allowed and art can be this unexplainable nonsense, which makes it so magical."

Increased interest in Icelandic culture

There are a lot of talented young artist in Iceland today and although we can't have that many superstars there is plenty of room for good Icelandic art on the international market. "The galleries in Iceland also have to make sure that they introduce the artists abroad, it is not enough just to have a gallery space. The Icelandic market is very small and very, very few artists can actually live off their art. We can't fill the market with modern art that stops here, we have to bring this art further."

Do you feel there is more interest in Icelandic art and culture from abroad these days? "Yes, and because there is so much interest in this country it is easier to present Icelandic art. It's not as noteworthy to be from New York or Paris if you are a young artist today. A lot of artist from far out places have been discovered recently. There is something fresh about it."

Do you think now that Icelandic musicians have proved themselves on the international market that it opens a door for others, such as Icelandic film makers and fine artist? "Yes, I believe so. I think the Sugarcubes and then Björk started some sort of revolution. The attitude towards Iceland has changed from Iceland being some sort of Eskimo-country into being a nation with rich cultural life. The idea has been put out into the world that Iceland produces extraordinary artists whether they are musicians or fine artist. The persuasion is done and all doors are open, we can go wherever we want."

Gabríela says she often meets people in Europe that want to have a conversation about Dagur Kári or Sigur Rós. "It always makes me happy. These artists have won amazing victories, I'm very proud of these people and they should be thanked for creating a stir around our culture. Ólafur Elíasson has also helped us in the art world. Before people would mention Nobel Prize novelist Halldór Laxness or former president Vigdís Finnbogadóttir but now people abroad recognize our young artist, which is very encouraging. It has taken us some time to open up our hearts to bigger thoughts."

These days Gabriela is in Switzerland putting up an exhibition that will open on June 12th at the prestigious Migros Museum in Zurich. Her work is also being exhibited at Gallery i8, Klapparstígur 33, along with 12 other Icelandic female artists and Finnbogi Pétursson. Exhibition ends July 1st.

Hanna Björk Valsdóttir

Photo by Silja Magg