Born in Reykjavík, Iceland in 1975, Heimir Björgúlfsson lives and works in East Los Angeles, California. He received his MFA from the Sandberg Institute in 2003; and his BFA from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in 2001, both in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. In 1998 he graduated from the Sonology program at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, The Netherlands. His work has been exhibited widely in Europe and the United States in both solo and group exhibitions. In 2012 he was nominated for the Carnegie Art Award in Stockholm, Sweden.
Artist Statement
“My work raises questions about our relationship with our environment. I am interested in mankind’s clashes with nature, however subtle or absurd, and how our visions and experiences of the natural versus the man-made are shaped by our cultural identities and personal characteristics. Such human circumstances and situations interest me both subjectively and historically. I seek the awkwardness within them, where the possibility of a coincidental narrative can take shape.
In my native country of Iceland, nature has in many ways been unaltered by man, in contrast to The Netherlands where I studied, where practically every square foot is man-made or altered. These contrasting environments shaped my artistic direction. Since living and working in Los Angeles, its history, layered cultures, and clash of artificial and natural environments, have undeniably occupied my interest and influenced my artistic practice. Through the use of a variety of mediums, I create collage and assemblage-based works of art that seek to engage the viewer and initiate a dialogue. My goal is for the viewer to not leave my work without having more questions than answers about their world, impact, culture, imagination and daily lives. I am not after any solution, solely the questions raised.”
Website
http://www.bjorgulfsson.com
