Guests
2010
1. Robert Dunne, artist, UK, www.robdunne.com 2. Hlín Agnarsdóttir, writer, Iceland 3. Sharyn Finnegan, artist, N.Y. / USA, www.sharynfinnegan.com 4. Peter Byrne, artist, N.Y. / USA, www.byrnestudio.net 5. Amy Adams, artist, N.Y. / USA, www.amyadams.us 6. Kathleen Lee, artist, N.Y. / USA 7. Miriam Sagan, artist, New Mexico / USA, sfpoetry.org 8. Kendra Lynn Bulgrin, artist, Kansas / USA, www.kendrabulgrin.com 9. Jimmy Eddings, ceramicer, Kansas, USA, www.jimmyeddings.com 10. Rósa Helgadóttir, textile designer, Iceland, www.rosadesign.is 11. Annika Bergvik-Forsander, artist, Finland, www.annikabf.com 12. Bo Forsander, filmmaker and photographer, Finland 13. Fie Tanderup, artist, Denmark, www.artreview.com/profile/FieTanderup 14. Jens Kallenbach Thomsen, writer, Denmark 15. Heidi Naumanen, artist, Finland 16. Laura Ruotsalanien, artist, Finland 17. Sigrún Jónsdóttir, photographer, Iceland 18. Bodil Steinsund, artist, Norway 19. Rita Lisbeth Johansen, artist, Norway 20. Joan Perlman, artist, L.A. / USA, www.joanperlman.com 21. Veronique María, artist, UK, www.veroniquemaria.co.uk 22. Raom, artist, Argentina, www.raometloba.com 23. Loba, artist, France, www.raometloba.com 24. Krístín Garðarsdóttir, keramiker, Iceland, www.kirs.is 25. Annie Abdalla, artist, Canada, www.annieabdalla.com 26. Andreas Kaiser, artist, Germany, www.kaiserkunst.de 27. David Snoo Wilson, artist, UK, www.davidsnoowilson.com
2009
1. Elizabeth Hodson, artist, UK 2. Barbara Milne, artist, Canada 3. Barbara Ballachey, artist, Canada 4. Rósa Helgadóttir, designer, Iceland, www.rosadesign.is 5. Carla Cisno, sound artist, Italy 6. Joan Perlman, artist , L.A. / USA, www.joanperlman.com 7. Danielle Frongia, IT-expert/statistian, Italy 8. John Krogh, artist, Denmark 9. Ósk Eiríksdóttir, photographer, Iceland, www.flickr.com/photos/oeiriksdottir/
About the stay at Gullkistan.
Barbara Ballachey, Canada, Painter
I loved being in Iceland!!!!
The Gullkistan Residency was a wonderful and perfect opportunity to be there. The organizers, Kristveig and Alda, have a vision that they are putting out to the world. Their love for Iceland and it's profound and startling beauty, and their love for the arts and for fostering and sharing creative experience, has led them to set up a most remarkable situation in Laugarvatn. I was unprepared - I really had no idea what to expect - and wanted no preconceptions to get in my way - for just how exciting the time would be. The apartment is so nice, the studio, well, one just wishes to take it home! All this on a lake in an area that was full of surprises and visual challenges! I spent my time working outside and looking looking looking! We rented a car so were able to explore, (also I could sit in the trunk if it was windy or rainy - which is was some of the time - but mostly we were blessed with wonderful SUNNY weather. And thrilled by the long days and the quality of light, which was absolutely amazingly intense, and by the colors and forms of Iceland's landscape. I know that I only saw and understood two weeks worth, and that being there in the middle of summer was special, but it was a most worthy two weeks. I have come home with a renewed sense of excitement and openness, which will affect how I continue to paint. And see! All good! So many thanks are due to Kristveig and Alda, and their wonderful families, for putting Gullkistan in place, and for the generosity and shared experiences they offered us as we discovered all we could about this amazing country. They could not have been kinder or more wonderful, and helpful in dealing with lost luggage and trying to answer all our endless queries about Iceland! This gave another rich dimension to the stay! And as a painter, with landscape as my source of imagery, it was a powerful gift.
Barbara Ballachey
Barbara Milne, Canada, Painter
Barbara Milne, Calgary, Alberta Gullkistan Residency June 28th to July 12th. 2009
The Gullkistan Residency gave me two weeks of uninterrupted time in which to experience the shifts and changes in weather and light within a spectacular landscape. For me, the benefits of this will be continually revealed in the months to follow. The studio is airy and light filled and with the uninterrupted daylight of July, I could work well into the night. This was an opportunity to exchange with the local community and to learn more about the many facets of Iceland – the history, art, geography etc. The accommodation is large, airy, and comfortable, with a fully equipped kitchen and shower. We rented a car which allowed us the freedom to tour beyond the immediate area. The organizers of the residency, are both accomplished artists who believe in the far reaching benefits of exchange and community among creative people of all disciplines. Alda and Kristveig are enthusiastic, informative and supportive in every way. I felt less like a tourist and more like a relative visiting her ancestral home. My painting is in response to the landscape and this residency, located in the middle of one of the most stunning areas of South Iceland, provided an ideal situation in which to explore and to reflect on my practice. Having been on various residencies over the years, I have learned that it is best to stay open and to avoid expectations. My two weeks in Gullkistan far exceeded any expectations I might have had tucked away in the back of my mind! It was a privilege to be one of the first participants at this residency. I applaud the vision of Alda and Kristveig. Iceland is astonishing!