Three museum spaces tell the story of visual art in Reykjavík

Founded in 1973, the Reykjavík Art Museum (Listasafn Reykjavíkur) holds a central place in Iceland’s cultural life. With three locations in the capital, this institution is the largest of its kind in the country, stewarding the city’s public art collections and highlighting both Icelandic heritage and contemporary creativity.

Three buildings, three visions of art

Each of the museum’s venues reveals a different perspective on visual culture. Hafnarhús, near Reykjavík’s old harbour, combines industrial history with modern art. The building once served as a warehouse, and its conversion into a museum carefully preserved elements of the original design. Hafnarhús houses six gallery halls, a courtyard and a space for various events ranging from concerts to poetry readings. A permanent feature here is the collection of artworks by Erró, Iceland’s renowned pop-artist who has resided in Paris for decades. Since 1989, Erró has gifted around 2,000 works to the city.

Not far from the city centre, Kjarvalsstaðir overlooks leafy Klambratún park. Opened in 1973 and named for famed Icelandic painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval, this was the first building in the country designed specifically for art exhibitions. The museum displays a significant portion of Kjarval’s work. Born in 1885, Kjarval became known for his visionary modernist paintings inspired by Iceland’s landscape, and remains one of the nation’s best-loved artists. Alongside works by Kjarval, visitors can encounter changing shows focusing on 20th-century Icelandic and international art, as well as architecture and design.

Ásmundarsafn, found in Laugardalur, was once the home and workshop of sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson. He constructed the curving, white-plastered structure himself between 1942 and 1950, weaving together architectural themes drawn from Mediterranean and Arabic influences. The building opened as a museum in 1983, the year after his death. Both the house and its garden display Sveinsson’s sculptures. Ásmundur’s pieces, dating from throughout his career, have become part of the city’s visual landscape, appearing in public spaces indoors and out.

A collection that shapes the city

The Reykjavík Art Museum manages more than 3,000 square metres of exhibition floor space, staging over twenty exhibitions every year. Its holdings include not only the distinct collections of Erró, Kjarval and Sveinsson, but also works of art and architecture owned by the city. Outdoor sculptures and installations from the museum’s collection are on view across Reykjavík’s parks, streets and public buildings. The museum is led and funded by the municipality of Reykjavík, and works actively with local festivals and projects in music, design, theatre and film. Through education, events and interdisciplinary collaborations, it remains at the heart of Reykjavík’s public cultural life.

TopicsÁsmundur SveinssonErróIcelandic artJóhannes S. KjarvalListasafn ReykjavíkurReykjavík Art Museum