Hrefna Sigurðardóttir, assistant professor in graphic design at Iceland University of the Arts, has been working on a study for the past two years related to the typographic drawings of the visual artist and teacher Valgerði Briem. The results of the research are now published in two books published by Gerðarsafn in connection with the exhibition Valgerður.

In the article Model, replica - Ideas and author characteristics in Valgerðar Briem's font drawings, Hrefna discusses Valgerðar's font drawings from the perspective of graphic design and based on Valgerðar's focus in teaching and his art. The article is published in the book Myndvit - Verfleifð Valgerðar Briem together with writings by Cecilie Gaihaede, who leads the project, Jón Proppé and Aðalheiði Lilja Guðmundsdóttir.

Valgerður Briem (1914 -2002) was an artist, teacher and entrepreneur in the field of visual education Teaching was a major part of her life's work and it influenced the number of students who later made a name for themselves in Icelandic art. Gerðarsafn preserves a large collection of her works, but in 2006 Valgerðar's family presented the museum with around 1,640 works on paper, including drawings, watercolors, sketches, fonts and patterns.

Font drawings as a bridge between design and craft

Along with the research article, Hrefna worked Valgerðar Briem's Stave Book, which she designed and compiled. The book publishes Valgerðar's font drawings that were originally drawn for use in embroidery. Valgerður herself had in mind to publish such a book with her font forms, which did not happen. Therefore, this is the first time that her font drawings for embroidery have come together in print.

Valgerðar Briem's character book is published by Gerðarsafn, like Myndvit - Heirlooms of Valgerðar Briem. The books were published on September 16, 2026, at the same time as the opening of the exhibition Valgerður in Gerðarsafn.

The exhibition is part of Gerðarsafn's extensive research into Valgerðar Briem's life's work. The museum received a two-year research grant from the Museum Fund for the project, which is led by Cecilie Gaihede and combines research on artistic practice and Valgerðar's teaching during exhibitions and publications.

The exhibition Valgerður runs in Gerðarsafn until January 24, 2027.