Consumption and pink slime

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. This time it’s Gudmundur Thoroddsen who talks about his socially critical works – whose motives have both an artificially moribund and a congealed effect through a pinky-white icing.

What is it that makes Icelandic art typical and distinctive?

Icelandic art is probably not very burdened by art history, so one might say it’s free and fresh … in a way.

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

Two of many things that my country stands for are capitalism and consumerism. These are the elements most evident in my art.

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

Consumption and pink slime that suffocates everything in its path.

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

Most of my work is an ironic parody of our society. Some viewers might fail to see this, so that’s the secret window I can give you.

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

Melting Squirrel is based on a series of animal paintings I did a few years ago. Back then they were drawn with a pencil in realistic style. Now this same squirrel is melting into a senseless blob, not so unlike our culture.

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

The golden turd on the “Me and Pila” painting took a lot of experimentation to create. I began with painting it, then sprayed it, but it didn’t work. In the end I bought golden foil, cut it out, drew lines on it and made it three dimensional. Then I filled it with glue and waited for it to dry. When it was dry, I glued it to the painting. I think it’s quite symbolic. I went through all this trouble to make a turd. Reminds me of an alchemist.