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Gerður Helgadóttir
 Master of Glass and Metal

Gerður Helgadóttir (1928-1975) was a multi-talented and productive artist. She studied here in Iceland in the Art and Craft School of Iceland (MHÍ) and then later in Florence and Paris, where she lived most of her career.

Full size blueoprint by Gerður Helgadóttir

Gerður was a great glass-artist and a pioneer in that art-form in Iceland. Stained glass windows by her decorate six churches here in Iceland. Best known are the windows in the churches of Skálholt and Kópavogur. In Germany five churches have stained windows by her. She also did stained windows for individuals in Germany.

Gerður Helgadóttir, stained glass

 

Gerður Helgadóttir - stained glass

 

Gerður Helgadóttir - sculpture

 

Gerður Helgadóttir, iron filament

When she started working with iron filaments she established herself here as a fore-runner of three-dimensional abstract art.

Gerður Helgadóttir, three dimensional iron filament

 

Gerður Helgadóttir, sculpture

 

Gerður Helgadóttir, sculpture

Around 1970 massive sculptures are created. Formed in clay, plaster and even concrete. These works are sturdy and powerful. Often showing motion and joyful simplicity.

Gerður didn't have strong health and she died only 47 years of age. She produced nevertheless unbelievably much during her short life. During the last part of her career the created one of the largest art-piece ever done in Iceland. The big mosaic at the Tollhús (e. Customs house) in Hafnarstræti in Reykjavík from 1973.

I went to the musical Edith Piaf in the National Theater last weekend. It was a uniquely joyful show. Gerður Helgadóttir has much in common with Edith Piaf. They were both in Paris at a similar time. They were both excellent artists each in her own way. They produced a lot during their short career and both died young. They were true in their art and really gave a lot.

 

 


Álfheiður Ólafsdóttir