Weird Icelandic Spirits Revealed - Artist releases book of oil paintings based on historical creature sightings

Artist releases book of oil paintings based on historical creature sightings

If you’re interested in “Icelandic stuff” (which let’s face it, you probably are if you’re on this website – thanks for that, by the way, we love you) you may have caught a glimpse of Arngrimur Sigurðsson’s Duldýrasafnið project on social media recently. Because with the help of plenty of well-targeted sponsored posts on Facebook, his vivid (re)imaginings of mythical Icelandic creatures from the mists of history have gone a little viral. Not like Ebola-viral or anything, but definitely like a catchy cold that “goes around.”

Utlising the Karolina project funding website, a campaign to raise funds for a book of his paintings smashed the $3000 target, in the end raising over triple that amount. The resulting book was launched last week at an exhibition opening at Bíó Paradís on Hverfisgata, with many Icelandic backers coming along to pick up their copy in person, all hoping to win the best campaign reward on offer – an original oil painting.

If you’re suitably intrigued and would like to see the work, and maybe buy a copy or two of this odd and interesting tome for yourself and a loved one, head to Bíó Paradís this weekend, where the artist will watch over the paintings, sign copies, and talk to visitors. Or, if you hate talking to artists, you could also buy it in Mál og Menning on Laugavegur.

Check back over the coming weeks for more on the subject, and follow the project on Facebook here.