Why You Should Visit the Reykjavík Art Museum on Your Trip to Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceand.
2019I found myself wondering how best to keep warm and occupied, so I took a trip to the Reykjavík Art Museum, intrigued by its reputation for showcasing Iceland’s vibrant artistic heritage.
Next thing I knew, I found myself face-to-face with something unexpected — Leifur Ýmir Eyjólfsson’s exhibition Handrit (Manuscript).
Built from fragments of speech, half-sentences, and passing thoughts, the exhibition explored the invisible rhythm of communication — the “umms,” “I guess so’s,” and “yeah, maybes” we rarely notice in conversation.
What struck me most was the tactile nature of it. These words, often forgotten as they’re spoken, were literally burned into clay plates and mounted across the walls.
Art is such a big part of Reykjavík — you see it everywhere, not just in galleries but on the streets, in coffee shops, even in the way things are designed.
Reykjavík Art Museum gives you a great insight into how Icelanders see and experience the world — through words, textures, landscapes, even silence.
Definitely worth a visit!
