Halldór Ragnarsson
Reykjavík, Iceland
Website
www.hragnarsson.com
Social Media
Instagram
How would you describe your work?
My work is rooted in painting, but I approach it through texts, whether it is from my own diary or through the philosophy of language. I’m interested in how meaning is shaped, shifted, and sometimes even destabilized by language, and I try to explore that visually on the canvas. For me, painting is not just about form or color—it’s a way to understanding things, of translating ideas from maybe philosophical thoughts into a more personal, material expression. I often connect these ideas to my own life and experiences, so for the viewer my works can become both as something collective but yet intimate. In that sense, my practice is about finding a dialogue between thought and feeling, between language and image.
What inspires you?
I approach everything I do within the arts with a maximal intentions but with a minimalistic touch. I like the contradiction of that approach. In life I love the calm before the storm as much I love the storm before it settles again. I think that can be seen in my art in some ways.
Can you speak about your process?
I work all days here at the studio; at least all weekdays. Sometimes when I am not feeling it I just come here to read or do some carpentry or just contemplate about various things. For me it is very important to show up at the studio everyday like any other person goes to work. You are at least within the space of creativity where you can explore your ideas. Nothing happens within the arts if you just think about things. That is the job for philosophers. It is a hands on practice and these hands needs to be practicing to be in clear connection with your ideas.
How did you become interested in art?
I am kind of a late bloomer, at least as a practioner but I got obsessed in the arts through my studies in philosophy at the University. The shortest answer of why that happened is that I have always been a curious human being and for me art is something to be curious about because it gives you sometimes not the answers you expected.
Do you have any favorite artists, movies, books, or quotes?
There are so many amazing and creative humans out there and what I am looking at or reading varies depending on my mood and so on. But to name one artist that I always come back to, I could easily name Agnes Martin for obvious reasons.
