Description

Valgerður Sigurðardóttir (1992, Reykjavik, Iceland. Lives and works in Antwerp).
While studying fine art, Vala-shortened from Valgerður-ended up at KASK Antwerp through an Erasmus scholarship. After graduating from Reykjavik, she returned to Belgium and studied sculpture in Ghent, where she obtained her master's degree in 2018. She participates in group exhibitions in Antwerp, Aarschot, Iceland, Oslo and Romania. Vala has been represented by Keteleer Gallery since 2019.
In contrast to the materials she uses, Vala's works are very light-hearted. In a childlike, seemingly naive way, she depicts the extremely mundane and ordinary to the point of absurdity. Small scenes of people at the dinner table, a woman on the toilet reading a newspaper, someone entering the room... and nothing more.
The book that Posture will publish with Vala shows an extensive series of ceramic tiles and drawings. In the middle, between the 2 languages of the text, is a series of drawn parrots, colourfully rendered and busy twittering. In the last section of the book is a series of drawings: very personal memories, dreams and fantasies that cling to small things rather than big stories. They are the fuel for telling a fairly universal story that leaves as much room as possible for the viewer's own associations.
Koen Sels has been invited to write the text for the book. Koen writes novels and reviews for De Witte Raaf, among others.
The book is being produced in the context of the artist's first institutional exhibition in Reykjavík (opening 28.06.2025) and will be available at Antwerp Art Weekend (29.05-01.06).