IslANDs - Painterly Experiments & Exploded Sculptures

Boldness & Sensitivity
by Bill FitzGibbons
Icelandic multi-media artist Gudjon Bjarnason seamlessly
unites boldness and sensitivity, creating multifaceted
energy within his work. By utilizing most creative means of
expression, including the use of explosives for the making of
his animated sculptures along with a forceful uninterrupted
flow of multi-layered visual images based upon abstraction
versus representation, chance and unpredictability versus
rationality, Bjarnason has created strong cultural bonds; a
lasting positive experience in Texas, USA.
do the same. The new, challenging body of work, now created
in India but covering the vast arenas of the world wherein
the artist thrives, “GOlden IslANDs,” most certainly inspires
similar thoughts and actions.
His memorable exhibition “DySTOPic ProgressiONs” held in
2013 at Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum in San Antonio,
for which I was the executive director at the time, required
many layers of community involvement, and bonded a wide
variety of people into an enthusiastic team who all helped to
realize his innovative aims. The skills that he encompasses
as an architect were, to my belief, then critical to forging this
large group of people to work as a coordinated team and to
complete his vision on time.
Gudjon’s work ethic and strict adherence to his aesthetic
were no less than inspiring to the young artists and
collaborators that helped with materializing his creative
endeavors. Bjarnason’s work bridges cultural gaps, elicits
pride throughout the community, and empowers others to
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