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Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús — Contemporary Icelandic Art
About Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús — Contemporary Icelandic Art
Hafnarhús opened 2000 as the contemporary art branch of Reykjavík Art Museum (which also operates Kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn). The building is a converted 1930s harbour warehouse at Tryggvagata 17. **Erró Collection:** Over 4,000 works by Guðmundur Guðmundsson (Erró, b. 1932), Iceland's most internationally recognized contemporary artist. Erró's style is pop art/collage, politically engaged, visually dense. Works satirize consumerism, war, politics, popular culture. Rotating exhibitions from the collection. **Temporary Exhibitions:** 3–4 major exhibitions per year showcasing Icelandic contemporary artists working in all media: painting, sculpture, installation, video, photography, performance. Focus on cutting-edge work and emerging artists. **Permanent Collection:** Works by major Icelandic artists including Jóhannes Kjarval (modernist landscapes), Ásgrímur Jónsson, Jón Stefánsson, Nína Tryggvadóttir. **Building:** 4,000 m² warehouse space with high ceilings and industrial aesthetic. The raw space complements experimental art. Admission ticket valid for all 3 Reykjavík Art Museum locations (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, Ásmundarsafn) for one week.
🐉 Where Iceland's Art Gets Weird
Hafnarhús is Iceland's permission slip to experiment — video installations, performance art, politically charged collage. If it's strange and provocative, it belongs here.
📖 History of Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús — Contemporary Icelandic Art
Warehouse built 1930s for harbour cargo storage. Converted to art museum 2000. Erró donated his collection to Reykjavík city 1989. Hafnarhús has become Iceland's premier venue for contemporary art exhibitions, hosting both Icelandic and international artists.
💡 Did You Know?
Erró (Guðmundur Guðmundsson) has been creating politically charged pop art collages since the 1960s and is still working at age 92 — his output is so prolific that the museum can rotate exhibitions from his collection for years without repeating.
Key Facts
Opened 2000 in converted 1930s warehouse
4,000+ works by Erró (pop art master)
Rotating contemporary art exhibitions
4,000 m² industrial gallery space
Admission valid for all 3 Reykjavík Art Museum sites
💎 Hidden Gems
The Erró Archive Room
The archive space where you can view Erró's vast collection on digital screens is overwhelming — his output is so prolific it's almost incomprehensible.
The Industrial Rooftop View
The top floor windows overlook the Old Harbour and Faxaflói bay — combining contemporary art viewing with one of the best harbour views in Reykjavík.
🕐 Best Time
Rainy afternoons
🚗 Access
Tryggvagata 17, near Old Harbour
⏱ Duration
1–2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Erró?▾
Guðmundur Guðmundsson (Erró) is Iceland's most famous contemporary artist — pop art/collage master, politically engaged, visually explosive. He donated 4,000+ works to Reykjavík.
Is the ticket valid for other museums?▾
Yes — one ticket covers all 3 Reykjavík Art Museum locations (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, Ásmundarsafn) for one week.
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