Well I am in Rekjavik… after a long journey with Rosie and Paulo through the North East and East coast of this amazing country. It was sad leaving Olafsfjordur as I had come to treat it as home after 4 weeks there. I had not expected to be so drawn to the place after an unpromising start (the weather) – but it has grew on me as the weather improved, and somehow the thick fog became part of the ambience of the place after all.
The end of the residency provided opportunity for 2 exhibitions. The first was the one we mounted alongside some local Icelandic artists – mentioned in a previous post. On the day I left Olafsfjordur, the rest of the group also mounted a small exhibition of our own, including work from everyone – just to say that we had done it ourselves and made good use of the gallery at Listhus. The posters were designed by Lesley Turnbull, one of our team .
Our resident team of artists in residence is seen above – I will remember each one clearly, as each of us had strengths to bring to the group as a whole, making for a great bunch of folk.
Leaving this all behind for our mammoth road trip…
The 3 of us drove – well Paulo drove as he is able to negotiate the driving on the right – firstly to Myvatn, where we visited the lava fields of Dimmiburger, the boiling mud pools, the Nature baths, the crater of Viti, and the falls at Dettifoss. A truly magnificent time was had in our lovely summerhouse complete with hot pot.
After 2 nights at Myvatn, we moved on towards Hofn, passing through the astonishing valley just before Egilsstadir, where we stopped to do some drawings
these may become the basis of further work back in my studio…
I also became very excited by all the different types of lava… back to geomorphology days!
Hofn overlooks the huge Vatnajokull ice cap, with several glaciers emerging as snouts onto the coast. We spent a day exploring the glacial lagoon and Skaftafjell national park, where we went to have a look at Svartifoss.
After 2 nights in Hofn, the last leg of the journey was to return to Rekjavik, but to stop at the ridiculously quirky Skogar Folk Museum, and the nearby Skogarfoss.
a 19th century hand-made strainer for skyr…
iceskates…
A long drive indeed. But worth every mile. The country is beyond amazing!
Here back in Rekjavik, enjoying my friends Thorunn’s and Palmi’s home for a few days of chilling and reflection… and being a tourist… before returning to Scotland.