About

Ragnar Stefánsson, born in 1957 in Reykjavik and currently residing in Denmark or meditating somewhere in the far east, is an artist with a diverse background. After studying art in Iceland and attending the School of Visual Arts in New York, he pursued a career as a psychologist, which led to a hiatus in his artistic endeavors. However, in 2012, he reignited his passion for photography and in early 2015, he returned to painting. Since then, art has taken precedence in his life, and he now works part-time as a psychologist.

   Ragnar's art is characterized by his fascination with blending contrasting materials. Initially rooted in the expressionistic tradition, he relinquishes control and embraces chance and mistakes as integral parts of the creative process. Simultaneously, he draws inspiration from modern industrial production techniques and materials, influenced by his background in furniture making and prosthetics. As a result, his paintings possess a physical presence and often boast large dimensions. The interplay between the artist and the painting, accidents and logic, traditional expressionistic painting and craftsmanship, and the impact of coincidences versus predetermined goals, all contribute to the multiple facets of his creative process. Creativity thrives on the border between control and chaos.

   Ragnar's artworks are distinguished by his experimentation with materials and craftsmanship. He explores traditional mediums like oil paint alongside industrial materials such as epoxy resin, polyurethane, carbon fibers, and fiberglass. Additionally, he incorporates photographic prints, dried plants, air bubbles, and flower-based color pigments into his works. Employing layers, he creates an illusory depth that conceals elements within, leaving viewers to speculate about the hidden happenings within the painting. This indistinct depth echoes unconscious memories or the obscured influence of modern society, evoking a profound psychological impact on his art.