ABOUT
Emil is an Icelandic interdisciplinary artist currently based in Reykjavík, Iceland. He studied at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, USA and received his BA degree in Sculpture and Environmental Arts at Glasgow School of Art in 2023. He is currently doing his Masters in Fine Arts at Iceland University of the Arts.
Through interactive sculptural installations and performances he encourages self-contemplation, corporeal awareness, and reflection on the interplay between natural and social environments.
"In today's fast-paced world, embracing mindfulness can be a powerful and political act. Slowing down enables us to strengthen social connections, practice critical thinking, and engage in self-reflection. This, in turn, fosters greater empathy and encourages more thoughtful actions, both on personal and societal levels."
Emil's practice is underpinned by the belief that art should be accessible to all. Consequently, he is passionate about reimagining public spaces to foster a sense of community, inviting viewers to engage and participate in joyful and mindful ways.
Emil is eager to invite viewers to become co-producers rather than consumers of art, often realized through the creation of platforms for shared activities and experiences. He believes that playfulness and participation make artworks more approachable. Therefore, his works frequently offer opportunities for physical engagement to activate them or deepen the viewer’s immersion in them. He is interested in the power of the engagement with a work to ripple out beyond the artwork itself.
The human body, serving as a vessel for identity, a sensory being, and a moving medium, forms the foundation of Emil’s artistic practice. Whether he is delving into the relationship between humans and nature, exploring awareness through playfulness, or examining the power of music to forge connections, his reflections are consistently guided by the capabilities, desires, and significance of the body. This corporeal foundation has developed from years of dance and musical training where body attunement is paramount to a genuine understanding and personal creativity.