In this exhibition, Þórir Gunnarsson, also known as Listapúkinn, invites us into a visual world that is both deeply personal and full of playful energy. Þórir draws inspiration from all around him – whether from bus rides, nature, or his runs – and he has an inexhaustible passion for sports, both as an avid supporter and as a marathon runner himself.
Þórir’s art is full of vitality and spark, coming from his commitment, effort, and constant creativity. Art has been a part of his life since childhood, and he works extensively with drawing and watercolour, approaching his mediums with curiosity and intuition. Drawings he makes during his bus journeys have become the source of a variety of works, where his attentive eye captures both everyday life and fleeting, ever-changing moments. In these pieces, observation and experience come together, as layers of material and ideas build a new reality.
Þórir works at Listvinnzlan as an artist, consultant and assistant instructor, emphasising accessibility to culture and art education for people with disabilities. In recognition of this pioneering work, he received the Múrbrjótur award from Þroskahjálp in 2021. He has also been named Artist of the Year by the town of Mosfellsbær and he has exhibited widely, including at the Nordic House, Gerðarsafn and the Reykjavík Art Museum.
Þórir is not only a visual artist but also a cultural advocate and music enthusiast who enjoys meeting people and participating in creative communities. With this exhibition, he invites audiences to feel the force that drives him – joy, movement, creativity and dialogue – like a bolt of lightning that strikes and ignites new ideas.
In collaboration with Art Without Borders, the exhibition presents Þórir Gunnarsson as the featured artist of the 2025 festival.