今
Núna
Ima
Just moments from my home in Iceland, I’m surrounded by an abundance of dye materials to work with. Although most natural dyes sourced from the local flora reflect the subtle, muted hues of the Icelandic landscape, I see endless possibilities within them. Every color tells a story, deeply rooted in the land and shaped by the hands that bring it to life.
My work is in a constant dialogue with nature, attuned to its´ quiet rhythms. From walking in nature and sourcing the dye to the final steps in the studio, every part of the process is connected, until the work comes to life.
When immersed in nature, the various landscapes speak to me. A fleeting moment can find its way into the work. I tune into the rhythm, empty the mind, and let the dye flow onto the textile. Working with plants allows me to experience the environment in a new way, deepening my awareness of the changing seasons. In Iceland, the plants burst with life for only 90 days each year—summer feels like a celebration of time. Winter, being long and dark, is a period of hibernation, with 60 days of severe darkness. To work with nature here, planning ahead is essential.
Iceland has a long history of natural dyeing, but due to our climate and northern location, we have primarily dyed wool yarn. When I moved to Kyoto to expand my knowledge and study traditional dyeing techniques, I hoped to bring back new insights to Iceland. Now, when working with Katazome and Kusakizome using Icelandic flora, these techniques enrich the texture and color qualities of my work. I regularly combine Japanese dyes with natural color from Iceland, creating an intriguing conversation between two places. A dialogue between time and place, north and east, past and future - a dialogue deeply rooted in nature.
