Swell

This exhibition is the culmination of a year-long research project dedicated to revealing the intricate networks, resilient connections, and bold initiatives that characterised this era of artistic creation, innovation and exploration.

During the 1970s, second-wave feminism worldwide forged critical groundwork, advocating for women’s rights, increased visibility, and institutional change. Building on this momentum, often referred to as the Women’s Decade, the 1980s saw women artists further asserting their presence and challenging the dominant norms of the art world. The stage was set for women artists who, by the eighties, were leveraging the pathways previously created to push the boundaries of contemporary art even further.

As Iceland underwent significant social and cultural shifts, these women emerged as radical voices, navigating and reshaping a largely male-dominated art world. Through solidarity and shared vision, they pioneered new forms of expression, from performance art to conceptual works, and redefined the parameters of what art could be. Swell highlights how these women artists spun webs of collaboration, support and determination, defying expectations and paving the way for future generations.

The exhibition presents a selected, though not exhaustive, collection of works that reflect the dynamic practices of the artists, spanning performance, video, photography, sculpture, and prints. Each piece not only reflects the distinctive vision of its creator but also fits into a broader narrative of artistic exchange and influence. Many of these works, along with archival materials, are being exhibited for the first time since the 1980s, offering fresh insights into this influential period in Icelandic art history.

This is more than a display of artwork—it is a tribute to the enduring power of community, the beauty of interconnected artistic networks, and the spirit of self-initiative that continues to shape contemporary art. The collaborative ethos of women artists during the 1980s not only fostered creative innovation but also influenced the public art spaces and organisations of the time, leading to more inclusive exhibiting and collecting practices and a deeper understanding of contemporary art in Iceland.

Accompanying the exhibition is a book that digs deeper into the stories behind the art and its environment. It includes essays by curator Becky Forsythe and art historian Heiða Björk Árnadóttir , an interview with artists, reproductions of artworks and archival materials that provide a context for the networks and relationships that fueled this period. Through this publication, we aim to preserve and honor the contributions of these pioneering women, whose work continues to resonate and inspire.

In 2021, the Reykjavík Art Museum received a three-year grant from the Museum Council of Iceland to establish a research fellowship dedicated to studying women’s contributions to Icelandic art history. This position, created in collaboration with the Art Theory programme at the University of Iceland‘s School of Humanities, has resulted in three exhibitions and publications dedicated to the work of Hildur Hákonardóttir, researched by Sigrún Inga Hrólfsdóttir (2023); Borghildur Óskarsdóttir, researched by Aðalheiður Lilja Guðmundsdóttir (2024); and Swell: Women’s Initiative in Icelandic Art in the Eighties is the third and final exhibition in this series, resulting from research by Becky Forsythe.