Karen Björg Jóhannsdóttir

Lives and works in Reykjavík, Iceland

Artist statement

My artwork, like myself, is generally considered by me to be an unfinished product. Even when I do hand off works to clients, I usually feel like they are unfinished. But it is that sense of unfinished that keeps me going on my own personal search in the next following piece. I crave understanding of humans and human nature, of social constructs, of feelings associated with colors as well. When I study my topic, whatever that may be, I let one color follow the next without any direct or planned idea in my head. The idea might be very vague if it even exists at all, but usually I just get an idea and I follow through with it. It is during those times that I also have come to realize that my most unthought of works, are usually the most honest and raw ones. When the fog of my own mind does not get the opportunity to intersect or intervene in the process itself. I have mainly worked in the figurative field, but am slowly progressing towards the more abstract as the years go buy. Switching my focus from the obvious human in front of me, to the inner human state of myself and/or others. I have used bold colors and color combination but am not constrained by one medium over the other. If I get an overwhelming reaction to a specific color in a landscape, for example. Then my mind will not rest until I have managed to sit myself down, explore it and go as far as to turn it upside down even if necessary. I feel this inner urge to experiment, explore and entertain with my works and...

Artwork