ÓLI G. JÓHANNSSON
THE RYTHM OF LIFE
27.09.2025 – 18.01.2026
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Óli G. Jóhannsson (1945-2011) was born in Akureyri, Iceland. His works reflect a deep connection to nature and the unpredictable rhythms of life. He is known for his distinct abstract expressionist style, where the forces of nature – the sun, the wind, and the sea – flow through his works.
His path to art took an unexpected turn when he suffered a near-fatal accident at sea, where he worked as a fisherman in the mid-1990s. This incident became a turning point in his life and led him to dedicate himself entirely to painting.
His works, shaped by influence of the COBRA movement, transform fleeting moments and memories into permanent forms, revealing their beauty and depth. They served as receptacles for the most significant experiences of his life – nature, emotions, and scattered moments – while simultaneously evoking thoughts about earthly existence, where the artist and his work intersect.
In the year that would have been his 80th, we honor Óli's memory and his unique ability to capture life's raw beauty and diversity. His works live on as an invaluable heritage that connects us to nature and the human condition.
