Ragnhildur Jóhanns' paintings invite viewers into a world where the traditional still life meets human presence. Through the unexpected inclusion of a female hand; touching, holding, or arranging objects, she disrupts the stillness of classical aesthetics, transforming each scene into a narrative moment filled with life and intimacy. Her work challenges the static nature of the traditional still life, instead imbuing it with movement, energy, and the human touch.
A Lifelong Passion for Art
For Ragnhildur, art has always been a natural part of her life rather than a singular discovery. From an early age, creativity was woven into her everyday experiences, shaping her artistic path. Her journey has been one of constant exploration; pushing the boundaries of imagination, refining her vision, and embracing new ways to express her ideas.
A Practice Defined by Exploration and Growth
Ragnhildur’s artistic evolution has been marked by an openness to experimentation. Early in her career, she worked with text, found materials, and bookmaking; engaging with conceptual and tactile forms of art. In 2018, she transitioned fully to painting, a shift that felt both inevitable and liberating. Initially inspired by historical themes like still life, she soon began pushing past traditional frameworks, developing a distinctive approach that is now unmistakably her own.
A Dialogue Between Realism and the Surreal
Her work is deeply informed by the Surrealist masters; Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and Leonora Carrington, yet her approach to realism is uniquely her own. She doesn’t seek to depict the world as it appears; instead, she captures its essence. By blending precise details with dreamlike distortions, her paintings occupy the space between reality and imagination. The result is a body of work that feels both tangible and elusive, inviting viewers to pause and reflect.
The Shifting Meanings of Symbols
Ragnhildur’s paintings explore how the meanings of familiar objects; particularly fruit, have changed across time and culture.
In classical art, the fig was often associated with fertility, abundance, and the origins of life. Its presence in historical paintings carried deep symbolic weight, tying it to themes of creation and nourishment. But as culture shifts, so do interpretations. Today, fruits like the peach and eggplant have taken on entirely new meanings.
Once a symbol of softness and sensuality, the peach has become a playful icon in digital communication, frequently used as an emoji representing flirtation or desire. The eggplant, once an ordinary vegetable, now carries unmistakable connotations in the world of texting and social media. These evolving associations demonstrate how symbols are never fixed; they adapt to the language and culture of their time.
Ragnhildur’s work reflects this ongoing transformation, creating a dialogue between past and present. By juxtaposing traditional symbolism with contemporary references, her paintings encourage viewers to consider how meanings are constructed and redefined over time.
A Thoughtful Approach to Composition
Each of Ragnhildur’s paintings is carefully composed, balancing objects; such as fruits, flowers, and hands to create a sense of intentional harmony. Her use of colour is entirely mood-driven: some works feature bold, dynamic contrasts, while others embrace more subdued palettes. Every choice, from the arrangement of elements to the intensity of colour, is made to evoke a particular feeling, drawing the viewer into the painting’s atmosphere.
An Invitation for Interpretation
At the heart of Ragnhildur’s work is a sense of mystery. Her paintings do not dictate a single meaning; instead, they invite open-ended interpretation. The presence of hands, for example, raises intriguing questions: Where do they emerge from? What are they reaching for? Are they disrupting the stillness, or becoming part of it? By leaving these questions unanswered, she allows each viewer to bring their own thoughts and experiences into the work.
Explore Her Collection
We invite you to discover Ragnhildur Jóhanns' art, where each painting offers a glimpse into the interplay of the familiar and the surreal.
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