The exhibition “Faroese Contemporary” showcases contemporary art from the Faroe Islands in large formats. The artworks in the exhibition are versatile and explore new mediums, materials or expressions.

When we talk about Faroese art, it is most often naturalistic landscape oil paintings on canvas which come to mind. The reason is that this genre of painting is very prominent in Faroese art history and has been a strong tradition for ages. In the 1960s and 1970s, however, artists started moving further away from naturalistic painting and recognisable images as subjects and embarked on a more abstract approach, with pioneers such as Jack Kampmann and Ingálvur av Reyni, who also are represented in the museum’s collection. But what characterises the Faroese art of our time? Does contemporary art from the Faroe Islands have any collective traits?

The artworks displayed in the exhibition have in common their exploration of new expressions, new media or new materials. Furthermore, the traditional, naturalistic representation of a tangible motif has been abandoned. Alternative materials such as polyurethane foam, mylar and long-life milk cartons are in use in the exhibition, while more traditional materials such as paints and wool are employed in a manner that moves away from Faroese traditions.

The artworks in the exhibition touch upon many different fields and deal with complex topics. Topics such as the body, human relations, and sustainability are explored, while many of the pieces also refer to certain periods or genres in global art history. Although the artworks are very diverse, they are put into a collective relation within the exhibition. They communicate with one another and tell us something about what is stirring in contemporary art and society today.

The artists in the exhibition are:

Alda Mohr Eyðunardóttir, Anný Djurhuus Øssursdóttir, Hansina Iversen, Jens Dam Ziska, Jóhan Martin Christiansen, Jón Sonni Jensen, Kirstin Helgadóttir, Ragnhild Hjalmarsdóttir Højgaard, Randi Samsonsen, Rannvá Kunoy og Silja Strøm.

Photo: Silja Strøm, Quiet Ordinary Things, 2021. Owner: The Faroe Islands Police and the Danish Building and Property Agency.

Download Exhibition Catalogue here <<