Contemporary painting from Iceland is the subject of the new exhibition “Hérna” in Hangar-7 in Salzburg, Austria. In questionnaires each participating artist gave background information on their paintings. David Örn Halldórsson this time also discloses illuminating details about his work, in which he tells ambiguous stories with the help of day-to-day objects.

What is it that makes Icelandic art typical and distinctive?

The fact that it comes from an island in the Atlantic Ocean. Although it’s not as isolated as it used to be, we Icelandic artists are very concerned with isolation; this also makes us a tightly-knit bunch.

What role does your country play, its history and its aura, in your own works?

I’m Icelandic and I will always be Icelandic. I can’t escape it.

Beyond this, what are the topics and feelings that you process in your art?

It’s probably just daily life. Music, fashion, work, women, etc…

Is there something like an instruction manual for your pictures – an ideal way of getting closer to the secret and intention behind the picture?

Just let your imagination work with the paintings. The viewer completes the stories. It’s probably not the same ending as mine.

Please disclose to us how one of the works displayed in the exhibition was created ...

The work “His yellow reddish right hand” is a good example of constantly moving forward. Because you can never erase anything, you have to continue working with the accidents and the mistakes you make. Accidents are a good thing. Frustrating, but a good thing.

... and the story of a chosen detail that is visible in one of your paintings.

In the same picture I used my grandmother’s table cloths. It used them to create the illusion of tree leaves in the upper left corner.
David Örn Halldórsson
David Örn Halldórsson
Rafael Pinho
David Örn Halldórsson
David Örn Halldórsson
David Örn Halldórsson