At the heart of Kristín Sigfríður Garðarsdóttir’s practice is an intuitive approach to form-making, one that begins not with fixed plans but with the tactile logic of the material itself. She draws from a wide range of sources—nature, architecture, Scandinavian design, everyday life, and Japan’s 1,100-year-old ceramic tradition. Her philosophy values the journey of creation as much as the final object, finding harmony between past and present, historical reference and contemporary form.
The creative process of Garðarsdóttir is deeply intuitive, often beginning with a tactile exploration of materials that guides the evolution of each piece. She embraces the unpredictable nature of them rather than imposing strict designs. She masterfully creates a sense of interaction with the user, inviting a finger to slip into the handle of a cup, setting a glass into motion like a dance, or prompting a silent dialogue with an object that quietly asks, “What are you—a sculpture or a bowl?”.
© Courtesy of the artist
Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?
I live in Kópavogur, Iceland. I actually have two studios. One is located in Korpúlfsstaðir, studio subba. On the other hand, I work in my small studio in the countryside.
Where’s your studio located & how does it look?
Studio subba is in an old building built around 1925 by Thor Jensen that is used to be a cow-farm. Part of the building is a golf club office and also a restaurant that is open over the summertime like the golf course that’s located around the building. In there, I work with clay, paster and other more dirty materials. There are many artists’ studios and residences. In my other studio, I call it my ‘clean studio’, I work on sketches, drawings and develop my ideas.
© Courtesy of the artist.
Are there any projects that are personally important to you – whether recently completed or currently in progress?
My favorite project that is in progress and has been for a few years, is the urns which I am developing alongside with Dutch plaster molding genius, Jo Sijen. The plan is to finish them before the Dutch Design Week that will be held in Eindhoven in October. Sadly, this project has been a bit complicated and slow because of the long distance between the makers.
© Courtesy of the artist
© Courtesy of the artist
Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?
Almost every day, I go to the public swimming pools, swim 1,5 km and then relax in the sauna & hot pots. Being in warm water is the best way to relax and also to clear my mind. Also, I stay in the countryside whenever I can, as I have a summer house one hour drive from home, where I also built small studio. That place is my favorite spot in the world.
© Visit Reykjavik
Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?
I think the health system is not as good as it could be, too little capital put into the basic needs in the whole system. Banking institutions absorb way too much from high interest and all kind of costs, compared to countries we like to compare ourselves to. The banks make huge profits for the owners its is a bit sick. Buying a fist apartment or a place to live in, for example, is very difficult because interest rates on loans are so high in this country. The Icelandic people do not have a long-term memory, so things are often not thought of, for more than four years at a time. Then we do the same mistake again and again.
In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years – and what has not?
What I am quite positive about is how the government helps the inhabitants of Grindavík, the small fishing village, which got the suffered badly from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in recent years. We are not good in projecting the fragile nature in and around Iceland. What makes me most angry is that rich people are buying a lot of land and farms in Iceland while we ‘sleep’. I can understand that farmers, that have never seen any real money before and all they’re lives have been struggling with maybe difficult farming, I understand that they take the money and run. But I think that the government should step in at some point and buy the land back.
© Diego Delso, Lago Tjörnin, Reikiavik, Distrito de la Capital, Islandia, 2014-08-13, DD 087, CC BY-SA 4.0
© Visit Reykjavik
Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers – whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?
I would absolutely recommend my talented colleagues who run the store KIRSUBERJATRÉÐ in Reykjavík with me. This is a cooperative gallery/store and we are 10 artist and designers who run the store. We all work in different fields and materials. The store has been working for 30 years. We are many in the group who work on sustainable projects. For example, Helga Ráðhildur Mogensen jewelry designers, she makes beautiful jewellery from drifted wood and old country map maps. Arndís Jóhannsdóttir she works with fish skin/leather and makes bags and interesting new works. Asta creative clothes, for examples, she upcycles old traditional Icelandic wool sweaters and turns them into an amazing unique fashion clothes.
© Ásta Vilhelmína Guðmundsdóttir, Ásta Creative Clothes
© Ásta Vilhelmína Guðmundsdóttir, Ásta Creative Clothes
Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?
I think Reykjavík has been growing and changing a lot for the last years. We have more visitors all year round, the number of good hotels and restaurants is increasing. We could, though, work harder in terms of architecture. We are building massive amounts in a very short time and the mistakes scream at you. This city is a delicate flower and should be treated as such. People from all over the world have moved here to work and live, so the city has more international aspect. Nicer city I would say.
Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?
Ráðagerði Restaurant in Seltjarnarnes is nice, and it is in an old house in a beautiful area. They are serving good food and their pizza is my favourite. Food cellar restaurant is amazing. Also, Ramen Momo is also good with fresh local ingredients. Finally, Arabian Taste is the highlight of the town these days for excellent food and good service.
© Momo.
Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?
That would be Kirsuberjatréð. It is a cooperative gallery/store. We are ten different artists and designers who run the store together.
What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?
– Hljóðbókasafnið which is a bit like Storytel
Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?
I read Mbl.is and Heimildin online and also all kind of interesting articles in magazine I find online. For the world news and local news, I listen to the local Icelandic radio RUV, its also good tho hear what is going on in the cultural scene in the country. Sometimes I watch the television: mainly documentaries on the state-run television station here in Iceland. I even watch the television when its turned off! Especially when I need to relax and calm down my ADHD and to get a quiet space. Youtube is sometimes popular, depending on whats going on in my life.
© Diego Delso, Costa cerca de Grindavík, Suðurland, Islandia, 2014-08-13, DD 080, CC BY-SA 4.0
Imagine you could be mayor for a year – what would you change?
First thing I would do is to build nonprofit apartments for young people, so they could rent or buy an apartment themselves.
One last question: If you could choose another place to live – regardless of financial or time constrains – which one would you choose?
Kyoto, Japan.
