Reykjavik Art Museum: Kjarvalsstaðir 

My visit to Kjarvalsstaðir was a moment of introspection. Immersed in Kjarval’s serene landscapes and Helgason’s societal commentaries, I found myself reflecting on the complexities of nature, society, and the way art connects us to deeper truths about the world.

My second stop on the Reykjavík Art Museum Walk took me to Kjarvalsstaðir, a modern art museum resting within the Klambratún park. Just a 15-minute walk from Hallgrimskirkja, Kjarvalsstaðir is a wrapped around a large, serene park that featured outdoor recreational activities like volleyball and rock climbing. Opened in 1973, Kjarvalsstaðir was built to house visual art exhibitions. Its name originates from Jóhannes S. Kjarval, one of the nation’s most beloved painters. Kjarval was famous for his ability to capture raw beauty and mystique of Iceland’s landscapes. 

Part of the museum housed a permanent display of Kjarval works, offering visitors the progression of his art through the timeline of his career. Walking through the gallery, it is easy to see why Kjarval is celebrated. His pieces evoke a profound intimacy with the Iceland’s unique landscapes. 

Beyond Kjarval’s pieces, Kjarvalsstaðir features rotating exhibitions of Icelandic and international art. During my visit, the museum offered a healthy mix of modern and contemporary pieces which created a dynamic space that past and present collided. 

The museum highlighted the works of Hallgrímstorg Helgason, whose artistic evolution captivated me. Havoc was one standout collection of Helgason’s that had depictions of the war in Gaza (pictured above) and portrayed world leaders as victims of war. Helgason’s Victims of War series portrayed world leaders as villainous figures with grotesque, exaggerated features, a bold critique of power and its consequences. These works offered me a striking commentary on global and local struggles as coverage of world conflicts increase. This space invited visitors to reflect on the interconnectedness of current events and art. Outside, on the streets of Reykjavik, murals and flags were all throughout the city portraying public opinion on injustice throughout the world. I saw striking similarities to the current challenging works of Helgason and my own opinions on the global issues.

Early in Helgason’s career, his pieces consisted of neo-expressionist landscapes which displayed unique and otherworldly views. This evolved into the art he created in 90’s developing an alternate ego, Grim. Grim was a playful, raunchy human-like character in Helgason’s art that humorously explored private life while critiquing societal norms. Helgason’s later works were then influenced by his alter ego. His works evolved from the social commentary developed to more direct shots at society. His piece “I Know Exactly how you Feel – Portrait of the Artist as two Italian Ladies Coming from Church,” offers the viewer to interpret the piece as a challenge on religion showing a contrary look from the name with an evil facial expression on the two old ladies. Throughout the evolution of Helgason’s work, his beings blended blending humor with sharp insight. 

I spent hours exploring Kjarvalsstaðir exhibitions, often marveling at the fact another human being made something so realistic and powerful from oil and canvas. Two hours passed by, and my growing hunger pulled me away. I went to the cafe within the museum to get a pastry, but I could not find an item on the menu that was not under 15 dollars. I concluded my trip in search of a place to eat.