Two exhibitions, “From Sketch to Sculpture” and “Homage” by Magnús Árnason, opened at Ásmundarsafn, the Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum which is part of Reykjavík Art Museum, yesterday.

Sunworship by Ásmundur Sveinsson (1940). 

From “Sketch to Sculpture” presents an insight into the rich but little-known collection of drawings by the sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, while “Homage” draws attention to Louis Pasteur’s (1822-1895) experiment whose findings conflicted with the theory of spontaneous generation.

In the former exhibition, a selection has been made among the works based on subjects, which can be identified throughout the collection. Also included at the exhibition are a number of drawings that can be tied to known sculptures by the artist, especially from his earlier years.

The drawings number almost 2,000 and cover a wide range of subjects; devotional drawings, landscape, form studies, portraits, model studies and a variety of other things, a press release states. The exhibition is curated by art historian Eiríkur Thorláksson.

Árnason’s work, whether in his sound-pieces, sculptures or performances, stands on a vague line between the real and unreal, fiction and facts.

In his recent work, he has worked with nature and natural history; moving away from the mythological references seen in his earlier work.

For further details, visit the museum’s website.