This magnificent painting has now become a part of our permanent collection exhibited here at The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands.

Due to the generous support of Ny Carlsbergfondet, The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands has been able to get this piece by Hansina Iversen. Speaking in Tongues from 2020 is a remarkable painting and is among Hansina´s largest paintings, measuring 220 x 420 cm. This painting was part of a recent unique exhibition in our gallery titled Faroese Contemporary (Brot): Faroese contemporary art in large formats.

The artist Hansina Iversen (né. 1966) studied at the art academy in Helsinki and Reykjavík. Her artistic style is rooted in American abstract expressionism, colour field painting and the New York school with inspiration from Helen Frankenthaler, Agnes Martin, Mark Rothko and Barnett Newmann. With additional inspiration from Finnish artist Nina Roos and her abstract creations, whom Hansina Iversen came to know during her studies.

Hansina Iversen's artworks are known for their dynamic compositions and colour surfaces[A1] , with many diverse forms and movements painted in several transparent layers on the canvas. This makes her work have a unique effect whilst also being considerate towards sources of her artistic inspiration.

Hansina tells us about Speaking in Tongues.

“Through the painting, I try to create space on a surface that is already given. The space is created during the work process. Nothing is sketched, and the colours are applied intuitively. Often using a broad and flat paintbrush, so the strokes are clear. This creates a great foundation for the ongoing process. The painting is stroked layer upon layer, and the underlayers guide the colours and forms that are layered above. This continues until a world is created in form and colours, where space and movement guide the eye to lighter and deeper corners. Back and forth on the canvas. Back to closed shapes that hide that which lies beneath, until you have looked long enough and see a shadow in the background revealing that which lays underneath.”

We are pleased about the support we have received from Ny Carlsbergfondet and are excited that our guests can enjoy this beautiful oil painting again in The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands.