On June 17, the Icelandic National Day, artist Ragnar Kjartansson was chosen this year’s Reykjavík City Artist, according to a press release from the City of Reykjavík. This is an honorary award, given to an artist who is believed to have excelled and made his mark on Icelandic art.
At the award ceremony, which took place in Höfði house, Elsa Yeoman, head of the Icelandic Culture and Travel Counsel, detailed reasons for the unanimous choice of the council. The artist was presented with an engraved rock, an honorary certificate and a monetary award.
Ragnar’s work is known worldwide. This year, his work has been on display in Paris, Montreal, Detroit, Berlin and Chicago. He is planning a large private exhibition at Reykjavík Art Museum next year.
Ragnar is known as a prolific, diverse artist, using various media, such as theater, music, paintings, happenings, film, video and literature. His work is filled with humor, as well as mythical references.
He received his education at the Iceland Academy of the Arts and the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts.
