Folk artist in Grundarfjörður – visit Liston at his workshop

In spite of the uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus and its devastating effect on travelling, I am still passionate about keeping the magazine going. So here is an article about a folk artist in Grundarfjörður on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. When this whole virus thing has blown over, perhaps you can visit the folk artist Liston at his workshop and chat with him about art and Icelandic mythology.

Meet Liston, the folk artist in Grundarfjörður

I love when I am contacted by independent entrepreneurs around the country who are doing something cool that travellers can enjoy. The folk artist Ludvik Karlsson hit me up on Facebook and told me about this workshop in Grundarfjörður on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Everybody can visit him there and check out his art for free. Lúðvík has lived all over Iceland for the past decades. Still, a few years ago he returned to his native and beloved town of Grundarfjörður. The town reacted by giving him an award. Lúðvík is an illustrious artist, so much so that he got the nickname Liston. ‘List’ means art in Icelandic and the nickname refers to his creativity and sheer output of artwork.

About Snæfellsnes and Grundarfjörður

The Snæfellsnes peninsula is a fantastic destination, the cliché is that the peninsula is Iceland in a miniature. Like most clichés, it is entirely correct. Exploring the peninsula is such a treat. The charming town of Grundrafjörður is famous for being right next to the iconic Kirkjufell mountain.

Hello Lison and thank you for reaching out to the magazine. Can you give me background information about yourself?

I am born and raised here in the village. I was an active kid, and soon I was showing my creative side. Older people were tolerant of this, and that encouraged me to continue creating. As I am self-educated, I call myself a folk-artist. As such, I can keep being eccentric in my art. The primary material I work with is rocks, both big and small. Winters are best for painting, I want peace and quiet for that. I mostly paint at night, that is when the air is still and few thoughts around. For 45 years, I have meditated, and I use that for my art creation. I turn off conscious thought and use free flow for my artwork.

You have a folk art workshop in Grundarfjörður where everybody is welcome. Tell me about what visitors can expect to experience there?

At the workshop, which is about 130 m2, you can both view my artwork and watch me work. There are many sculptures and some paintings outside. I have a collection of stones from the nearby area. Admission is free, and it is up to the visitors what we talk about. Many enjoy talking about Icelandic mythology or how a small nation can live on this small island. Visitors like to hear that the inhabitants of Iceland are not only humans but also elves, trolls, sea monsters and lake monsters.

I read that you only use material which has already been removed from nature

I never move stones because we never know what lives in them. To move stones leaves wounds in the ground, just like wounds on mother nature. I try to use scrap material. Now people talk about recycling, and I have always done that. People used to call that cheap, but now it is fashionable. When I am asked to create art for companies or individuals, I often ask if they have scrap material to work with. When I return this material transformed into a work of art, people are stunned by the treasure that could have been thrown away. If I see scrap material somewhere, I start to think about what can be created from it. Here in the town, there are about 25 of my sculptures.

What inspires your art

I am inspired by our history from beginning in the mists of time to modern times. I try to avoid any polemics, especially against religion. My respect for people’s religious beliefs Is deep. My interest in the world’s religions and their impact on the culture of people and tribes is genuine. To understand the individual, you need to understand his or her faith and culture.

What Icelandic artists should people learn about

The sculptor Einar Jonsson is our most excellent artist. I also want to mention Sigurjón Ólafsson and Ásmundur Sveinsson. In my opinion, our best painters are, in my opinion, Kristján Davíðsson, Eiríkur Smitt, and Sveinn Björnsson. I also like Kjarval, but I think he is too overrated. Few say this out loud since they worry about the elite.

The town of Grundarfjörður and the Snæfellsnes peninsula is beautiful. What are the must-see places?

The history of this area is diverse. There is no heavy industry here, we focus on eco-friendly food productions. The islands are a great source of food, often there is a short distance between nature and your plate! Some restaurants get the ingredients for the salads in the field next door. Here is a strong tradition of storytelling. We have an association called Sögufylgjur, and you can get these story-tellers to guide you for short or long tours.

What advice do you have for people who are visiting Iceland for the first time?

Don’t drive the whole ring road in four days. Spend at least seven to ten days in each part of the country. Find Icelanders who like to tell stories and give yourself time to chat. Icelanders are quite outgoing and open, they don’t know it!

How to find the folk art workshop in Grundarfjörður town?