Vestnorden Arts & Crafts 2004

Iceland

Traditional Icelandic handicrafts were developed to meet the needs of the farmer and fisherman community. Every farmer had to be self sufficient with tools, furniture and other things because many places, as well as the country itself, were very isolated. Raw materials were scarce; in Iceland there are no metals, small woods and few animals to hunt. But the sheep had a very good wool and and it became the foundation of the women´s crafts, weaving, knitting and embroidery. Woodcarving was a man´s trade and most of the kitchen utensils were carved out of birch or driftwood as well as other decorative things. Then there was also the art of bookmaking which was practiced in Iceland from the middle ages.

Traditional handicrafts were presented at the exhibiton, for instance woodcarving, knitting and weaving but also national costumes from The Icelandic Handicrafts Association. The Association was founded in 1913 and it is committed to preserving and promoting Icelandic folk art and handicrafts and encouraging quality craftsmanship based on Icelandic cultural heritage.

Contemporary arts and crafts have a short story in Iceland like most of the arts, it is not untill the late 19th century that educated craftsmen start to work in the country. In the exhibition were samples of what Iclandic crafts people are doing today, for instance textiles, glass, clothes, woolens, jewelry, skin and leather goods.

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