Jóhanna V. Þórhallsdóttir – Dancing beneath the Glacier
9. September – 23. September 2023
Gallery Fold presents “Dancing beneath the Glacier” a private exhibition with works by the artist Jóhanna V. Þórhallsdóttir.
Snæfellsjökull is a remarkable mountain. A realm of adventure and superstition. When Eggert Ólafsson and Bjarni Pálsson were the first to climb the mountain 230 years ago, it was considered foolhardy. Anyone who walked on the glacier would turn blind, insane, or both. Even aliens have shown interest in the glacier.
On sunny days, the glacier is clearly visible from Reykjavík and resembles a mysterious cone of fire on the horizon. There is the gateway to the bowels of the earth, as Jules Verne claimed.
This summer, Jóhanna V. Þórhallsdóttir resided at the foot of the glacier and let it control the color palette. It either smiled or frowned. Exposed or concealed itself. It orchestrated the nature around it like a coordinated musical conductor.
Jóhanna chased the rumble of the glacier and her own feelings. Were the old folk tales true? Will you become blind or insane in cohabitation with him? The glacier is ever-changing as it dances with the clouds and caresses the vegetation. Sometimes the picture turns into a poem.
Sigurður Breiðfjörð, the poet, lived for a while by Grímsstaðir in Breiðvík and had the glacier in full view every day. He believed that the tall tales had their origins in the glacier or Hnitbjörg.
Sér að ber við svölu ský
silfurhvítan hökul;
fjallið kalla firar því
flestir Snæfellsjökul.
Breiðfjörð danced with the glacier. The glacier danced with Jóhanna and everyone else who is charmed by its magic.
(Ó.G.)
Jóhanna V. Þórhallsdóttir was born under the sign of the Aries in 1957. She studied singing and music in England, Italy and here at home. She sang both classical and contemporary music with the Symphony and others, jazz with the national team of Icelandic jazz musicians, Latin music with her own band and directed large choirs for years. She released several records over her musical career.
In recent years, she has focused on painting. Went to Germany to study with Markus Lupertz et al. Won an award for her pictures at an exhibition in Austria in 2022. She’s also illustrated several books.
Jóhanna has held solo exhibitions and exhibited together with others.
“Dancing beneath the Glacier” is Jóhanna’s first solo exhibition at Gallery Fold.
The exhibition opens on Saturday, the 9th of September, and runs until the 23rd of September.
Art Gallery Fold in Rauðarárstígur Reykjavík is open Mon-Fri 10 – 6pm and Saturdays 12-4 pm.
