The Best Art Galleries In Akureyri Iceland

Located in northern Iceland, Akureyri is a city famous for its diverse landscape. Despite often being overshadowed by capital Reykjavik, Akureyri offers art worth viewing. Besides the Akureyri Art Museum, the main hub for art exhibitions, the following galleries will definitely give you a taste of the unique local art scene.

Linda Ola Studio Gallery

Located on the main street downtown, this studio, which is also a gallery and a classroom, is operated by local artist Linda Ola. She offers both art and calligraphy classes for all ages. Her multi-media work consists of oil paintings, etchings, drawings, and hand-crafted design objects such as candles and cards with imagery from the surrounding landscape. The artist has a walk-in permanent installation called ‘Eternal Space’ that’s a small mirrored room in which lights are reflected to produce an infinite effect. It’s a remake of the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s 1965 work ‘Infinity Mirror Room – Phalli’s Field’.

Hafnarstræti 97, Akureyri +354 862 4448

Hvítspói Art Gallery is an art studio and gallery owned by Anna Gunnarsdóttir, a textile artist who uses materials such as wool, leather, and fish skin to hand-make sculptures as well as wearable art. The artist’s studio where she makes her work is in the gallery space, so you can observe her working process. The gallery also presents the work of other local artists working in a similar manner.

Brekkugötu 3a, Akureyri +3544662064

Helreidin by Asmundur Sveinsson (located in Reykjavik)

The Harp of Prayer (1965) by Ásmundur Sveinsson

Akureyri also has many open-air artworks by major Icelandic artists dotted around the city. This one, in particular, does not belong to a specific museum or gallery but can be found on the North part of town on Þórunnartún. Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893-1982) was one of Iceland’s first sculptors who often depicted abstractions of figures from traditional Icelandic stories.

Halfway Between Proximity and Infinity (1995) by Kristinn E. Hrafnsson

Located on Hjalteyrargata with an ocean view, this conceptual sculpture does not belong to a specific art gallery or museum. The work was a gift from the town council of Akureyri to the Akureyri Fishing Society. Hrafnsson (1960) is a prominent Icelandic sculptor who uses his work to portray concepts of time. The title of this work is taken from a poem by Icelandic poet Sigfús Daðason, represented by three cubic structures.

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