Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson, Fragment, 2018, Silk thread and dyes, 114 x 216 inches. Courtesy of the artist and Abattoir Gallery, Cleveland. Unframed. Photo by Tim Safranek ©
Born and bred in Iceland, Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson (b. 1963) has spent the last 30 years crafting bold and evocative pieces oscillating between abstraction and representation, deeply influenced by Iceland’s ethereal landscapes. Preferring “paintings” over “weavings” or “textiles,” Jónsson draws inspiration from her biannual sojourns to Iceland, capturing its essence through photography.
Dubbed the Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland’s natural wonders—volcanoes, lava fields, geysers, hot springs, glaciers, rainbows, and the mesmerizing aurora borealis—serve as the backdrop for Jónsson’s captivating artwork, contributing to ongoing discussions on landscape painting and postwar abstraction.
“This exhibition continues the museum’s commitment to highlighting global modernism and its legacies,” said Todd D. Smith, Executive Director, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. “While Jónsson’s work is international, there is a regional resonance regarding North Carolina’s textile design and production, as well as the legacy of modernist textile design by artists associated with Black Mountain College.”
Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson, Double Rainbow #1, 2022, Silk thread and dyes, 26 x 34 inches. Courtesy of the artist and Abattoir Gallery, Cleveland. Framed. Photo by Tim Safranek ©
Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson, Skyscape #5, Butterfly Nebula, 2022, Silk thread and dyes, 74 x 45 inches. Courtesy of the artist and Abattoir Gallery, Cleveland. Framed. Photo by Tim Safranek ©
Curated by the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University, the exhibition features 45 artworks, many making their debut, showcasing Jónsson’s largest and most intricate paintings alongside intimate watercolours and drawings.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share Jónsson’s work at the Bechtler. As I witnessed firsthand last fall, these woven paintings, many of which engulf the viewer in intense colour, create a sense of awe and wonder in nearly everyone who encounters them,” said Andrea Gyorody, Director of Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art. “I do not doubt that visitors to this iteration of the exhibition will come away with the same feeling—a newfound reverence for the sublimity of nature and a deep respect for Jónsson’s rigorous, moving practice.”
Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson, Various Landscapes #9, 2022, Silk thread and dyes, 45 x 40 inches. Collection of Janice Hammond and Edward Hemmelgarn, Cleveland. Framed. Photo by Tim Safranek ©
Jónsson’s creative process begins with framing scenes through her camera lens, followed by meticulous selection and cropping in her studio. She distils forms through preparatory sketches, enriches the palette, and paints silk threads wet-on-wet, allowing colours to blend seamlessly. Her abstract interpretation transcends mere documentation, focusing on emotion, motion, and vitality while alluding to the fleeting nature of memory and time. Her innovative approach addresses the urgent realities of our changing planet, as Iceland’s glaciers melt due to climate change, reshaping the landscapes that inspire her.
Displayed at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art from February 17 to June 2, 2024, “Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson: Infinite Space, Sublime Horizons” marks the artist’s first solo museum exhibition in the U.S. in nearly a decade and her inaugural monographic show in the Southeast.
