Björk’s New Exhibit Is the Perfect Reason to Book That Iceland Art Trip
Iceland’s landscapes are famously unpredictable, but its most celebrated cultural export, Björk, has always been even harder to pin down. This spring, the National Gallery of Iceland offers a rare chance to step inside her world with “Echolalia,” an immersive exhibition running May 30 to June 14 as part of the 2026 Reykjavík Arts Festival. The show fills the museum with installations like Metamorphlings, featuring collaborator James Merry’s intricate embroidered headpieces, the performance piece Sorrowful Soil set against Iceland’s raw terrain, and a new work tied to her upcoming untitled album. Björk may be the draw, but Reykjavík’s creative scene deserves a longer visit.
Start at Höfuðstöðin in Elliðaárdalur, home since 2022 to Chromo Sapiens—a multisensory installation of three caves made from synthetic hair extensions, with sound by Icelandic band HAM. It was a hit at the 2019 Venice Biennale and remains a must-see. The space also hosts events; catch a knitting circle if you time it right.
Designmarch, Reykjavík’s spring design week (May 6–10), marks its 18th year with open studios, pop-ups, and exhibits from designers across Iceland. Highlights include on-demand wool-art pizzas made with a felting machine, led by textile designer Ýrúrarí and studio Flétta. The week opens with DesignTalks, then spills into a weekend of mingling with locals hunting for new art.
Marshallhúsið, a former herring factory turned sprawling art hub, houses five distinct spaces. Don’t miss The Living Art Museum for experimental work, Þula for contemporary pieces, and Stúdíó Ólafur Elíasson—the artist behind Harpa Concert Hall’s iconic façade. Email ahead for a tour.
For a real feel of the local scene, chat with the staff at Gallerí Fold. This gallery and auction house sells everything from screen prints of Bónus, the famous grocery store pig, to works by beloved local artists like Tryggvi Olafsson. Prices often fall within souvenir range, making it easy to take a piece of Iceland home.