Born 1984, Iceland
Baldur Helgason’s artworks depict the human body in a punchy, expressionistic visual style — uniting humour, nostalgia, and mania. Adopting a classic European cartoon aesthetic, Helgason’s art often depicts and subverts the human form, exploring themes of identity, spirituality, and the human condition.Through his unique visual language, Baldur Helgason captures the essence of what it means to be alive in the modern world. His artworks are an explosive mixture of nostalgia, humour, and mania, revealing a deep understanding of the complexity and contradictions that define human nature.
By adopting a classic cartoon aesthetic, Helgason imbues his art with a sense of playfulness and irony, inviting us to explore the darker corners of our psyche with a playful and irreverent spirit. His images often depict the human body in all its frailty and vulnerability, confronting us with our own mortality and the impermanence of life. Despite their often stark and raw subject matter, Helgason’s artworks are ultimately uplifting and empowering, reminding us that even in the midst of our darkest moments, we have the capacity to find joy, beauty, and meaning in the world around us. Through his powerful and evocative visuals, Helgason invites us to embrace our humanity and celebrate the rich and complex tapestry of emotions and experiences that make us who we are.
Helgason received his BFA from Iceland Academy of the Arts in 2008 and MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2011. He has exhibited widely in international exhibitions including solos at Ojiri Gallery, London, UK; WOAW Gallery, Hong Kong; and Richard Heller Gallery, California, USA as well as group shows at Reykjavik Art Museum, Reykjavik, Iceland; König Gallery, Berlin, Germany; Gallery Port, Reykjavik, Iceland; and Galerie Zink, Waldkirchen, Germany.