List of Icelandic artists

Art has existed in Iceland since the first settlements, but it was only at the beginning of the 20th century that Icelandic artists came to an international reputation. Mostly, they had studied in other countries, e.g. in Denmark.

Painters

The most important motifs for painters were the nature of their home country and the human being. But they also used supernatural themes.

Some of the most important painters are:

* Sigurður Gudmundsson (1833 - 1874)
* Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876 - 1958)
* Jóhannes Geir Jónsson (1927 - 2003)
* Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval (1885 - 1972)
* Þórarinn Þorláksson (1867 - 1924)
* Jón Stefánsson (1881 - 1962)
* Kristín Jónsdóttir (1888-1959)
* Guðmundur Thorsteinsson (1891 - 1924)
* Gunnlaugur Scheving (1904 - 1972)
* Þorvaldur Skúlason (1906-1984)
* Svavar Guðnason (1909 - 1988)
* Nína Tryggvadóttir (1913 - 1968)
* Louisa Matthíasdóttir (1917 - 2000)
* Kristján Davíðsson (born 1917)
* Erró (Guðmundur Guðmundson, born 1932)
* Bjarni Jónsson (artist) (1934-2008)
* Erla Magnea Alexandersdóttir (born 1936)
* Halldór Ásgeirson (born 1956)
* Helgi Þorgils Friðjónsson
* Finnur Jónsson
* Einar Hákonarson (born 1945)
* Sigurður Árni Sigurðsson (born 1963)
* Georg Guðni (born 1961)
* Jón Óskar (born 1954)
* Erla Þórarinsdóttir (born 1955)
* Ólafur Lárusson (born 1951)

Contemporary Artists

Around 1960 the Swiss-German artist Dieter Roth moved to Iceland. His engament with the Icelandic art scene was of great importance in introducing movements such as Conceptual Art, Fluxus, Happenings, Body Art, Life Art and Social Sculpture, which since have formed a basis for Icelandic Contemporary Art. [ [http://www.cia.is/artists/index.htm link title] ]

* Ragnar Kjartansson (born 1976)
* Libia Castro & Ólafur Ólafsson (born 1970 and 1973)
* Margrét H. Blöndal (born 1970)
* Libia Castro & Ólafur Ólafsson (born 1970 and 1973)
* Egill Saebjörnsson (born 1973)
* Hekla Dögg Jónsdóttir (born 1969)
* Katrín Sigurdardóttir (born 1967)
* Ólöf Nordal (born 1961)
* The Icelandic Love Corporation (born 1971, 1972 and 1973)
* Unnar Örn Auðarson Jónasson (born 1974)
* Ásmundur Ásmundsson (born 1971)
* Páll Thayer (born 1968)
* Jón Sæmundur Auðarson (born 1968)
* Gabríela Fridriksdóttir (born 1971)

culptors

It was not until the 19th century that Icelandic artists began to create sculpture. Until then, there had not been enough usable material. The stones found in Iceland itself were normally rather brittle. Some of the most famous sculptors are:

* Einar Jónsson | Einar Jónsson (1874 - 1954)
* Ríkharður Jónsson (1888 - 1977)
* Gunnfríður Jónsdóttir (1889 - 1968)
* Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893 -1982)
* Sigurjón Ólafsson (1908 - 1982)
* Gerður Helgadóttir (1928 - 1975)
* Páll Guðmundsson (born 1959)

Photographers

* Sigfús Eymundsson
* Fridrik Örn (Lighthouse photographer)
* Rafn Sigurbjörnsson (born 1955)
* Ragnar Axelsson (RAX)
* Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir
* Magnus Unnar
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/soffia/ Soffía Gísladóttir]

Architects

*Guðjón Samúelsson (1887 - 1950)

Musicians

* Á Móti Sól
* Amiina
* Ampop
* Apparat Organ Quartet
* Bang Gang
* Benni Hemm Hemm
* Björk and The Sugarcubes
* Botnleðja
* Brain Police
* Bubbi Morthens
* [http://www.eberg.net Eberg]
* Emiliana Torrini
* FM Belfast
* GusGus
* Jakobínarína
* Jóhann Jóhannsson
* KUKL
* Leaves
* Magni (Rock Star Supernova)
* Maus
* Mezzoforte
* Mínus
* Mugison
* múm
* Pornopop
* Quarashi
* Retro Stefson
* Reykjavík!
* Sálin hans Jóns míns
* Seabear
* Sigur Rós
* Slowblow
* Stafrænn Hákon
* Tappi Tíkarrass
* Trabant
* Worm is Green
* XXX Rottweiler hundar

Actors

* Baltasar Kormákur
* Edda Björkvinsdóttir
* Hilmir Snær Guðnason
* Ingvar E. Sigurðsson
* Magnús Scheving
* Stefán Karl Stefánsson
* Steinunn Ólína Þorsteinsdóttir
* Tómas Lemarquis