Jón Laxdal Halldórsson
…from the ruins and rubbish of time
Akureyri Art Museum
January 16ᵗʰ - March 13ᵗʰ 2016
Jón Laxdal Halldórsson (born 1950) studied philosophy at the University of Iceland and published his first
poetry book in 1974. He is one of those who contributed to the vibrant operations of Rauða húsið gallery
in Akureyri and put up his first solo exhibition there in 1982. Since then, collages have been his main
medium. Jón’s works can be described as poetic minimalism, while in fact they cover a much wider
spectrum. His works have been displayed in a myriad of exhibitions around the world and they have been
acquired by a number of museums and private collectors.
The exhibition …from the ruins and rubbish of time features works from Jón Laxdal Halldórsson’s long
career as a visual artist, the oldest ones from 1986, along with some newer pieces, which he made
specifically for the exhibition.
Philosopher Þröstur Ásmundsson on Jón: “Everyone seems to think there is a special kinship between
Jón Laxdal´s poetry and his art and not only because there is so much written and printed text involved.
There is a formal affinity that makes itself felt; a family resemblance. Might it be the Apollonian family?
Nothing is so trivial that it may not become a member of the aesthetic republic (which is quite different
from Plato´s ideal).”
Towards the end of the exhibition a program, in the spirit of Rauða húsið, was be held with music,
philosophy and various events. Also a book has been published where Guðbrandur Siglaugsson interviews
Jón Laxdal Halldórsson.
