Is there a common denominator in Icelandic art? How has the scene changed over the last decades? What does it mean to live, work and create as an artist on a remote island in the north Atlantic? How does such a tiny scene function? What are the highs and lows of living in a small art community? Why would a Paris-based artist decide to run an art space in a remote fishing village here? Why exactly is the scene so vibrant? And how does one deal with the lack of an art market? These are the kinds of questions we asked the artists, curators, gallerists, framers and collectors that we interviewed for this book in February, March, April and August of 2017.

We spoke to newbies and oldtimers, Icelanders and foreigners, and created this compendium of our in-depth conversations, a rich canon of different voices from inside the Icelandic art community. A selection of outdoor art pieces, museums and other arty discoveries around the island complete the mosaic.

The first of its kind, this book compiles the people, places, and projects defining the scene, which extends far beyond the country’s capital Reykjavík. We believe it paints a vivid and authentic picture of the island’s art scene today. Use it as a means to travel to Iceland from the coziness of your sofa, or take it with you on a trip to the island to visit the spaces and places you’ll find in its pages. If you do so, you’ll be welcomed with open arms, and no matter what time of the day (or night), with a strong cup of freshly brewed coffee.

With Hreinn Friðfinnsson, Ragnar Kjartansson, Rúrí, Richard Serra, Roni Horn, Steingrímur Eyfjörð, Kling & Bang, Harbinger, The Living Art Museum, Mengi, i8 Gallery, Akureyri Art Museum, Samúel Jónsson Museum, and many many more.