Steingrímur Gauti opens the exhibition Lingering Space at Listval Gallery
In Lingering Space, Steingrímur Gauti presents his unique approach to painting, diving into the depths of emotions and intuitions through an interplay of color and form. Working primarily with acrylic in combination with mixed media, Gauti’s process is deeply rooted in his connection to his surroundings, inspired by the Icelandic landscape and weather. His works strike a balance between expressiveness and grounding, capturing the essence of daily life and the natural world.
For Gauti, making art is a non-intellectual, body-centered, instinctual process. Emphasizing a meditative aspect through repetition he seeks to evoke feelings of excitement, peace, or curiosity, capturing genuine reactions and transferring that energy into his work. His method emphasizes the daily practice of painting as a way of thinking and meditating, focusing on simplicity and lightness. “I don’t really think and paint. The mind follows the hand, and the act becomes a conversation with the work in progress, an almost automatic process. The outcome is ideally not what you would call intellectual, rather something more dynamic and physical.“
Each stroke of his brush exudes physicality and purpose, as he carefully builds layers of paint, revealing hidden drawings and markings that highlight his dedication to the process.
Reflecting on his artistic journey, Gauti acknowledges the struggle he faces. “As an artist, I often find myself struggling with the interplay between creativity, ego, and spiritual growth,” he reflects. “It’s undeniable that being an artist involves a certain degree of self-centeredness – our creations emerge from within us, and our aspirations revolve around recognition and advancement. Recently, I’ve discovered that my pursuits as a zen student and a yogi have helped me gain some insights into understanding and channeling the ego in my artistic journey and incorporating a spiritual element within my art practice.“
Lingering Space reveals the ongoing dialogue between Gauti’s inner self and the world around him, inviting viewers to explore their own emotions and intuitions, and to discover the beauty in everyday moments.–
Steingrímur Gauti Ingólfsson (b. 1986) completed his B.A. in Fine Arts from the Iceland Academy of the Arts in 2015 and has been active in exhibiting his work in recent years. He has participated in group exhibitions both in Iceland and abroad and has held several solo exhibitions, including his recent one titled Chop Wood, Carry Water at Galerie Marguo in Paris. Steingrímur’s works can be found in public and private collections across Europe, the United States, and Asia. Steingrímur Gauti lives and works in Reykjavik.
Each stroke of his brush exudes physicality and purpose, as he carefully builds layers of paint, revealing hidden drawings and markings that highlight his dedication to the process.
Reflecting on his artistic journey, Gauti acknowledges the struggle he faces. “As an artist, I often find myself struggling with the interplay between creativity, ego, and spiritual growth,” he reflects. “It’s undeniable that being an artist involves a certain degree of self-centeredness – our creations emerge from within us, and our aspirations revolve around recognition and advancement. Recently, I’ve discovered that my pursuits as a zen student and a yogi have helped me gain some insights into understanding and channeling the ego in my artistic journey and incorporating a spiritual element within my art practice.”
Lingering Space reveals the ongoing dialogue between Gauti’s inner self and the world around him, inviting viewers to explore their own emotions and intuitions, and to discover the beauty in everyday moments.
Steingrímur Gauti Ingólfsson (b. 1986) completed his B.A. in Fine Arts from the Iceland Academy of the Arts in 2015 and has been active in exhibiting his work in recent years. He has participated in group exhibitions both in Iceland and abroad and has held several solo exhibitions, including his recent one titled Chop Wood, Carry Water at Galerie Marguo in Paris. Steingrímur’s works can be found in public and private collections across Europe, the United States, and Asia. Steingrímur Gauti lives and works in Reykjavik.
