The Society of Icelandic Goldsmiths celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, and the exhibition Prýði/Splendor has been developed in collaboration with them to mark this occasion. The exhibition includes the work of 40 goldsmiths, who were at liberty to create new objects for the occasion or to choose items from their own collection. The age of the goldsmiths ranges widely. Some have worked in the field for decades, built businesses and taken on apprentices, while goldsmiths of a younger generation, who here present their work alongside their masters, have built a reputation by participating in numerous exhibitions and contributing to the running of studios and shops. Recently graduated goldsmiths are also among the craftsmen featured, and their participation is an important element in fulfilling the exhibition’s purpose of illuminating the breadth of Icelandic goldsmithing today.

Works of silversmithing, such as hollowware, have become rarer today than they used to be. The exhibition does include a magnificent modern-day exemplar, however, which connects past and future. Jewelry comprises the majority of the items on display, and they evidence great diversity and creativity. This is true both of pieces that take what might be called a conventional approach to the material and in more challenging works, where strong contrasts are evident in free interpretation of unconventional materials and forms. A precise knowledge of craftsmanship and artistry create new dimensions in the world of jewelry design, in accordance with todays trends in International jewelry design.

Goldsmiths contributing to the exhibition are: Anna María Sveinbjörnsdóttir, Arna Arnardóttir, Ása Gunnlaugsdóttir, Ásgeir Reynisson (Gull- og silfursmiðjan Erna), Ásmundur Kristjánsson, Ástþór Helgason, Berglind Snorradóttir, Dóra Jónsdóttir, Dýrfinna Torfadóttir, Edda Bergsteinsdóttir, Eggert Hannah, Erling Jóhannesson, Friðrik Freyr Flosason, Guðbjörg Kristín Ingvarsdóttir, Guðrún Bjarnadóttir, Halldór Kristinsson, Hansína Jensdóttir, Haukur Valdimarsson, Helena Rós Róbertsdóttir, Helga Ósk Einarsdóttir, Inga R. Bachmann, Jóhannes Arnljóts Ottósson, Jón Snorri Sigurðsson, Júlía Þrastardóttir, Kjartan Örn Kjartansson, Lilja Unnarsdóttir, Lovísa Halldórsdóttir, Olga Perla Nielsen, Orri Finn, Ófeigur Björnsson, Páll Sveinsson, Rúnar frá Keflavík, Sif Ægisdóttir, Sigmar Ó. Maríusson, Sigrún Sigurjónsdóttir, Sigurður G. Steinþórsson, Sólborg Sumarrós Sigurðardóttir, Stefán Bogi Stefánsson, Unnur Eir Björnsdóttir, Þorbergur Halldórsson. Sýningarnefnd skipa: Edda Bergsteinsdóttir, Halla Bogadóttir, Harpa Þórsdóttir, Sif Ægisdóttir

Exhibition design: Helga Sif Guðmundsdóttir