Sigurður Unnar Birgisson - interview

Sigurður Unnar Birgisson is an artist and master's student in the art education department of LHÍ

„I grew up in Kópavogur and founded a street theater in the town with others shortly after the turn of the century. After pre-study at the Technical School, I attended an art university in Berlin, UdK and graduated from there with two degrees in Visuelle Kommunikation“, says Sigurður Unnar, both of whose graduation works were short films made with Kristína Gunnars.

Performance Kuskpruristi, De Uitkijk, Amsterdam (NL), 2024

„My first solo exhibition was at the Reykjavík Photography Museum in 2021, and the last exhibition I participated was a group exhibition at the Umelka Gallery in Bratislava.“

Before Sigurður Unnar started studying in the art education department, he worked as a photographer for Passagmyndir Hlíðasmára over a seven-year period as well as being the project council and creating art.

Pick up, Prince of Kusk, 2017, Iceland, Ten Buffalos curated by NhaÌ_ SaÌ_n Collective, De Uitkijk, Amsterdam (NL)

But why did Sigurður Unnar decide to start studying art education at LHÍ?

„I had heard people talk well about the faculty, the studies and the studentsI have always wanted to teach and consider it part of working as an artist“, says Sigurður Unnar who says he is happy in his studies: „I am impressed. I like being in this environment It is important in my opinion to get a very broad education and I am sure that the study at LHÍ appeals to a broad group Finally, I want to see a cross-section of Icelandic society there at play.“

When asked how Sigurður Unnar envisions using his studies after that, he has this to say: „I really like art research and I want to start working at a kindergarten“.“

Performance Kuskpruristi, De Uitkijk, Amsterdam (NL), 2024