Í lát 2025
Mjólkurbúðin, Akureyri, Iceland
solo exhibition
Drawings on paper and sculpture made of plaster, timber, strings and mirror.
Through her art, Kristín Elva has turned her decade-long experience of being mostly confined to her home due to the chronic illness ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) into a personal meditation and healing process. Each composition and line she draws tells a story or reflects an internal dialogue. She focuses on her home environment, transforming ordinary objects, such as flower pots, bottles, packaging and other household containers, into something deeper and more significant. Her artwork represents the story of someone who has retreated from society into isolation. When an artist becomes invisible to society, their experiences and the works born from them also fade from view. Kristín Elva aims to counter this by bringing attention to both the artworks and the personal world in which they were created.
Plants - Still life 2019
Gallery Grótta, Seltjarnarnes, Iceland
Two-artist exhibiton with Marta María Jónsdóttir
Drawings on paper and panel.
Seated amidst the tranquility of potted plants at home, one immerses in the timeless art of still life. This art form, often perceived as traditional, feminine, and somewhat nostalgic, provides a serene backdrop for absorbing the restorative energy emanating from the greenery. As the mind and body find solace in this setting, the artist's creations for the Plants exhibition offer a glimpse into her reality of grappling with chronic illness and confinement to the home. Through her work, she explores the historical context of women's art, where the domestic sphere and still life serve as both her world and the focal point of her artistic expression.
Spuni 2010
Gallery Box, Akrureyri, Iceland
Solo exhibition
Drawings on paper/panel and photographs.
The artist presents the world through the eyes of a fly trapped in a web, capturing the ordinary and insignificant deaths of small animals by photographing their tiny bodies as they dry up and stiffen. She studies them with a childlike curiosity, meticulously assembling their images. She then transfers their outlines from the photographs to paintings on paper or panel. In her work, the world is black and white and inverted, where the lifeless insects appear as large, menacing creatures.
Karnal Knowledge - Geisp, 2004
Trolhettan Konsthall, Trolhettan, Sweden
Group exhibition
Video work 6 min
Karnal Knowledge an art project of seven nordic artist that toured around Sweden and Iceland, e.g. Trollhättan Art Gallery in Sweden, The Living Art Museum in Iceland.
The work Geisp takes the viewers on a brief journey, presenting dreams - fragmented moments and images that appear disconnected. Each segment represents the artist’s personal reflections and her inner dialogue on everyday events. It’s an intimate piece that reveals how daydreaming and reflecting on daily life can aid in working through more complex and profound emotions.
"grön" 2000
Gallery Mejan, Stocholm, Sweden
Solo exhibition
Installation with sculptures, video and participation performance.
Upon entering the warm, summer-themed indoor oasis from the cold Stockholm winter, visitors are greeted by two parallel exhibition halls adorned with large green cushions scattered across the lush green floor. To counteract the artificiality of the man-made hills and grass, the artist endeavors to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere that invites viewers to unwind and engage – whether through doodling on the cushions, rearranging them, playing with the setup, participating in conversations, or simply reclining and relaxing. Transitioning into the inner hall, the artificial nature theme persists within the dimly lit space. However, the ambiance takes on a more authentic feel as visitors watch a video presentation. While the natural scenery depicted is genuine, it carries a hint of aloofness. As it spins before the viewer, occasional glimmers of mountains, grass, and streams emerge, only to swiftly dissolve into abstract representations of the landscape as the scene continues to whirl.