Meet Elva Hreiðardsdóttir, the artist behind the beautiful works in our TPA Gallery
My most profound memory of my childhood was the feeling of being free outside in nature by the seashore, climbing mountains or just being out in the nature and feeling its power.
In the heart of Reykjavik, Icelandic artist Elva Hreiðardsdóttir sits alongside a streaming river as the river rocks wear down, taking a new shape and eventually changing the landscape before her. She sketches a rough image, snaps a photo of her surroundings and heads back to her studio, where her graphic memories come to life.
With glue, weathered rocks, broken basalt and sand, Elva creates a distinct artwork, exempt from replication. She practices collography, adding ink or pigment to her collages to finish the pieces.
Elva says she has always been inspired by nature and how it reforms itself.
“My most profound memory of my childhood was the feeling of being free outside in nature by the seashore, climbing mountains or just being out in the nature and feeling its power,” Elva said.
By partnering with Icelandair, which began nonstop Reykjavik service at TPA in September 2017, and the Tampa Bay Business for Culture and the Arts, the Airport brought this unique artist to the region. After traveling 3,612 miles from Iceland to Tampa, 21 of Elva’s pieces now hang in the Airport gallery, giving passengers the chance to experience the small country’s brilliant nature.
The artist hopes that her exhibit in Tampa will encourage travelers to visit Iceland and make a connection with the landscapes beyond the frames.
The exhibit will be in the Airport Gallery between the Main Terminal and the Airport Marriott until Summer 2019.