Einar Hákonarson

Einar Hákonarson (b. 14th of January 1945, Reykjavík, Iceland) is an Icelandic expressionistic and figurative painter who brought the figure back into the Icelandic painting in 1968. He is a pioneer in the Icelandic art scene and art education. He has been called “The crusader of the painting”, due to his involvement in conflicts many Icelandic painters have had with the public fine art centers over the last 20 years. For the town in Canada see Reykjavik, Manitoba Location in Iceland Coordinates: Constituency Reykjavík North Reykjavík South Area    - City 274. ... On White II by Wassily Kandinsky, 1923. ... Figurative art describes artworks - particularly paintings - which are clearly derived from real object sources, but are not necessarily representational. ...

Biography

Early life

Einar Hákonarson was raised in Kleppsholt, Reykjavík. He started to paint and draw at a very young age. His father was a part time artist and his 2 uncles avid art lovers which was not so common in those times in Iceland. For the town in Canada see Reykjavik, Manitoba Location in Iceland Coordinates: Constituency Reykjavík North Reykjavík South Area    - City 274. ...

Hákonarson was only 15 years old when he was accepted to The National Art School of Iceland. There he got his education for the next 4 years. Then he went abroad to Gothenburg Sweden and studied at Valand Art University. There he got in touch with new modes of art and got influenced by figurative painting. Gothenburg (Swedish:  ) ) is a city and municipality in the province Västergötland on the west-coast of Sweden. ... Figurative art describes artworks - particularly paintings - which are clearly derived from real object sources, but are not necessarily representational. ...

When Hákonarson was still studying in Sweden he won the Nordic countries art prize after an exhibition in Louisiana Museum in Copenhagen Denmark. He won a prize in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for his printmaking, and an international printmaking prize in Ljubljana, former Yugoslavia, for a series of pictures after a trip to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. Copenhagen (IPA: , rhyming with pagan (the way the Danes themselves pronounce the name of the capital in English), or , with a as in spa; Danish   IPA: ) is the capital of Denmark and the countrys largest city (metropolitan population 1,211,542 (2006)), at present made up of 16 municipalities. ... Buenos Aires (English: ; originally , City of the Most Holy Trinity and Port of Saint Mary of the Fair Winds;[1] pronounced ) is the capital of Argentina and its largest city and port. ... Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. ... Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. ...   (IPA: ) is the capital and largest city in Slovenia. ... Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in South Slavic languages, Југославија (Serbian, Macedonian Cyrillic): Land of the South Slavs) describes three separate political entities that existed on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe during most of the 20th century. ... Auschwitz, in English, commonly refers to the Auschwitz concentration camp complex built near the town of Oświęcim, by Nazi Germany during World War II. Rarely, it may refer to the Polish town of Oświęcim (called by the Germans Auschwitz) itself. ...

Art

Hákonarson returned to Iceland after his education and put on his first solo exhibition in Bogasalur Reykjavík 1968. The show hit the Icelandic art scene like a bombshell. Hákonarson’s paintings were pop, figurative and expressionistic. This exhibition brought the figure back into the Icelandic painting, which had been dominated by the abstract art for years. For the town in Canada see Reykjavik, Manitoba Location in Iceland Coordinates: Constituency Reykjavík North Reykjavík South Area    - City 274. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... House I, created by Roy Lichtenstein in 1996, is designed to be an optical illusion. ... Figurative art describes artworks - particularly paintings - which are clearly derived from real object sources, but are not necessarily representational. ... On White II by Wassily Kandinsky, 1923. ... Figure can refer to any of the following: A persons figure. ... Black square by Kazimir Malevich Abstract art is now generally understood to mean art that does not depict objects in the natural world, but instead uses color and form in a non-representational or subjective way. ...

Hákonarson has always been firm and steady in his art work and views. He paints in oil on canvas but also works with other mediums like printmaking, sculpture, stained glass and mosaic. The human in its environment has been a red thread through his 40 year carrier. Hákonarson claims that he gets more influenced by the feel of nature, rather than trying to paint a specific part of it. In his work can be seen different kinds of criticism, for example on city life and the modern family unit. He has done series about The Icelandic sagas, the Holocaust and communism, to name but a few. Religious themes are common in Hákonarson’s art and he frequently makes pictures from the Bible. Oil on Canvas is a live album by Japan, released in 1983 by Virgin Records, after the band had split in 1982. ... Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. ... An Italian Futurist sculpture by Umberto Boccioni at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City (MoMA). ... Mosaic is the art of decoration with small pieces of colored glass, stone or other material. ... The Norse sagas or Viking sagas (Icelandic: Íslendingasögur), are stories about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, about early Viking voyages, about migration to Iceland, and of feuds between Icelandic families. ... Concentration camp inmates during the Holocaust The Holocaust was Nazi Germanys systematic genocide (ethnic cleansing) of various ethnic, religious, national, and secular groups during World War II. Early elements include the Kristallnacht pogrom and the T-4 Euthanasia Program established by Hitler that killed some 200,000 people. ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ... The word Bible refers to the canonical collections of sacred writings of Judaism and Christianity. ...

In later years Hákonarson’s painting style has become looser from the firm style at the beginning of his carrier, but without abandoning disciplined composition. Apart from Iceland, Hákonarson has lived in Sweden (7 years on and off) and for shorter periods in USA, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Hákonarson is one of the main popular portrait painters in Iceland. He has painted some of the most influential people of the nation, from politicians to the poets and artists. His work can be found in large numbers in official buildings, for example schools, banks, churches and the Icelandic parliament. Hákonarson has held over 30 solo exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions. The Mona Lisa is one of the most recognizable artistic paintings in the Western world. ... Composition can refer to: // Composition in art In the fine arts, compostion may refer to any of the following: Composition (visual arts) Musical composition MIDI composition In literature, oratory, and rhetoric, composition refers, as the etymology of the word quite literally indicates, to the putting (words) together to produce a...

Printmaking

Hákonarson has won international awards for his printmaking. He was the first Icelandic artist to exhibit only printmaking in an art show (1968) and to publish printmaking folders (Icelandic sagas). He was a driving force in founding The Icelandic Printmaking Association in 1969 and its first president. Later Hákonarson founded the printmaking department in The National Art School (MHÍ) when he became its director. Hákonarson has also decorated numerous books with his printmaking. Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. ... Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... The Norse sagas or Viking sagas (Icelandic: Íslendingasögur), are stories about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, about early Viking voyages, about migration to Iceland, and of feuds between Icelandic families. ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ... Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. ...

Teaching

Hákonarson was only 21 years old when he started teaching in the National Art School of Iceland. He grew a beard, since he was younger than most of his students, and has kept it ever since. Hákonarson founded an art school in 1970 (Myndsyn) with his colleague Ingiberg Magnusson. Hákonarson was appointed director of The National Art school of Iceland in 1978, then 33 years of age. He founded the department of printmaking and the department of sculpture, which did not exist in Iceland before and reconstructed the department of ceramics. Hákonarson has held many art workshops and seminars through his carrier. He held teaching positions in Sweden, Valand Art School (1964 -1967), Hovedskou art School (1989 – 1991) and Domens Art School (2000 – 2002). 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. ... An Italian Futurist sculpture by Umberto Boccioni at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City (MoMA). ... Ceramics can refer to: Ceramic, a type of material Ceramics (art), a fine art. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... Events Emperor Reizei ascends to the throne of Japan The Khazar capital of Atil falls to the Kievan Rus around this year Births Deaths Emperor Murakami of Japan Abu al-Faraj Ali of Isfahan, scholar. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

The painters' conflict

In the ‘90’s, painters in Iceland became discontent with the public exhibition rooms. They felt that the painting was totally left out in the Icelandic art world, and the directors of the National gallery’s only focused on the conceptual art. The painting was even declared dead by some of the country’s art historians. Painters had no place to show their work. Hákonarson, who previously was the artistic counselor of the City Museum (Kjarvalstadir), became Iceland’s most energetic crusader of the painting and its right of existence, to this date. The following list is a partial list of painters. ... Housed in an old shoe factory, St. ... The Mona Lisa is one of the most recognizable artistic paintings in the Western world. ...

The Art Center

In 1997 Einar Hákonarson built, with his own hands, the first private owned cultural center in Iceland. The Art Center (Listakalinn in Hveragerdi) was a 1000 square meters multi-cultural center, with the main focus on fine art and the art Hákonarson felt was left out in the public art centers.

The Art Center flourished and over 20 exhibitions of paintings and sculptures were made, together with numerous concerts, theater performances, poetry and book readings. Some of the exhibitions were the most attended in Iceland’s fine art history to date. Finally, there was a scene for painters and other artists who did not fit into the governmental art, run by its long lasting directors. Exhibition is a word with several meanings. ... The Mona Lisa is perhaps the best-known artistic painting in the Western world. ... Sculptor redirects here. ... A concert comprises a performance, usually involving some degree of formality, and particularly a performance featuring music. ... The Chinese poem Quatrain on Heavenly Mountain by Emperor Gaozong (Song Dynasty) Poetry (from the Greek , poiesis, making or creating) is a form of art in which language is used for its aesthetic qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its ostensible meaning. ... Exhibition is a word with several meanings. ... The following list is a partial list of painters. ...

But the pioneering drive could not cope with the banks and the loan system of its time, or politics. The Art Center went under after 2 active years. Hákonarson lost everything and the dream of the paintings asylum The Mona Lisa is perhaps the best-known artistic painting in the Western world. ...

Loss of the Art Center

The loss of the Art Center was bigger than most people know. Iceland’s biggest art collector Sonja Sorillo wanted to get The Art Center to house 100 of her collected art works, including works of Picasso, Mattisse, Bacon, DeKooning and Pollock to name a few. That fell through when The Art Center was sold in an auction to The West Nordic Fund. No international art collection exists in Iceland like Mrs. Sorillo's. Her collection is now lost as it was broken up and sold abroad after her death. The Art Center was then sold to The Arnesinga Art Museum (Museum of the region) who had previously declined any collaboration with Hákonarson’s Art Center. Photo of Art Center during the night. ... A young Pablo Picasso Pablo Picasso, formally Pablo Ruiz Picasso, (October 25, 1881 - April 8, 1973) was one of the recognized masters of 20th century art. ... Bacon is any of certain cuts of meat taken from the sides, back or belly of a pig, cured and possibly smoked. ... Species Pollachius pollachius Pollachius virens Pollock is the common name used for either of the two species of marine fish in the Pollachius genus. ... Photo of Art Center during the night. ...

The Painters House

Hákonarson lost his house and all of his possessions with the downfall of The Art Center. But he stood up after being knocked down and started The Painters House in 2002, a non profitable exhibition place with co painter Haukur Dor. Later, another painter, Oli G. took Dor's place and almost 20 exhibitions were made in two years. For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Painting by Rembrandt self-portrait Detail from Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez, in which the painter portrayed himself at work For the computer graphics program, see Corel Painter. ... Painting by Rembrandt self-portrait Detail from Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez, in which the painter portrayed himself at work For the computer graphics program, see Corel Painter. ...

Hákonarson opened an unusual exhibition in the so-called “Cultural night” in Reykjavík 2005. He put up 600 square meters tents and showed 90 paintings in the city centers park, to demonstrate the exclusion of the painting in the public art centers for the last 20 years. He called the show “In the Grass Root”. What followed is unheard of in the Icelandic art history. 3000 people (1% of the country’s population) attended the exhibition in one day and showed their support in Hákonarson and the Icelandic painting. After this show, Icelandic painters formed a group to push for more democracy in the Public art world. This struggle continues to date. For the town in Canada see Reykjavik, Manitoba Location in Iceland Coordinates: Constituency Reykjavík North Reykjavík South Area    - City 274. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A tent is a temporary or semipermanent shelter, consisting of sheets of fabric or other material draped over or attached to a frame of poles. ... The Mona Lisa is perhaps the best-known artistic painting in the Western world. ... The Mona Lisa is one of the most recognizable artistic paintings in the Western world. ...

Cultural scene

Hákonarson has held various prominent positions in the Icelandic art world, where he has been active in promoting Icelandic art nationally and internationally. To name a few, he was the artistic counselor of Kjarvalstadir, The City Gallery of Reykjavík 1987 – 1988 and a chairman of many exhibition comities. He designed and directed the exhibition of The History of Iceland, on Iceland’s 1100 birthday in 1974. He was a deputy to the Mayor in the governing body of the Hässelby Slott, cultural site of the Nordic capital cities 1982 - 1992. 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Nordic countries (Greenland not shown) The Nordic countries is a term used collectively for five countries in Northern Europe. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...

Einar Hákonarson lives with his wife Solveig Hjalmarsdottir. He works in Reykjavík. (2006)

Solo exhibitions

• 2006 Gallerí Fold Reykjavík, Iceland
• 2005 Hljómskálagarðurinn, In the Grass Root, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 2003 Galleri Stricker, Aachen, Germany
• 2003 Gallerí Ketilhúsið, Akureyri, Iceland
• 2003 Gallerí Hús Málaranna, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 2002 Gallerí Hús Málaranna, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 2001 Gallerí Smiðjan, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 2001 Galleri Strunk - Hilgers, Mönchengladbach-Odenkircken, Germany
• 2000 Galleri Lagerwall - Lagerwall, Göteborg, Sweden
• 1999 Gallerí Garðatorg, Garðabær, Iceland
• 1997 Gallerí Listaskálinn í Hveragerði, Hveragerði, Iceland
• 1994 Hafnarborg, The Art Gallery of Hafnarfjörður, Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
• 1991 Kjarvalsstaðir, The Art Gallery of Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 1991 Hässelby Slott, Stockholm, Sweden
• 1991 Galleri Löfgren, Göteborg, Sweden
• 1990 Galleri Odelhorn, Lund, Sweden
• 1990 Galleri Bacchus, Borås, Sweden
• 1989 Scandinavian Contemporary Art Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark
• 1989 Kjarvalsstaðir, The Art Gallery of Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 1986 Kjarvalsstaðir, The Art Gallery of Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 1984 Kjarvalsstaðir, The Art Gallery of Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 1981 Kjarvalsstaðir, The Art Gallery of Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 1980 Gallerí Háhóll, Akureyri, Iceland
• 1978 Kjarvalsstaðir, The Art Gallery of Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 1976 Kjarvalsstaðir, The Art Gallery of Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 1975 Gallerí Arkitektaþjónustan, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 1970 Bogasalur, The National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 1969 Gallerí Unuhús, Reykjavík, Iceland
• 1968 Bogasalur, The National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland

Paintings

External links

EinarHakonarson.net Einar Hákonarson official website