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Born and raised in Iceland, Thelma was shaped by the country's dramatic landscapes and mythic tales. Rather than merely replicating these scenes, she reinterprets them through a personal lens, layering symbolic elements onto everyday life. Her paintings often feature Icelandic landscapes, vast skies, open fields, and organic forms, infused with surreal twists that reveal the fragile boundary between the familiar and the unknown.
Beyond the canvas, Thelma has also left her artistic mark on the streets of Iceland, creating large-scale murals that transform public spaces into portals of imagination. Her playful, color-rich designs invite passersby to step into her world, turning everyday surroundings into moments of wonder.
Expanding Horizons: An Artistic Journey in Denmark
Thelma spent a year in Denmark, broadening her artistic narrative and exploring new creative landscapes. She attended Krabbesholm Højskole, an art school in Skive, where she immersed herself in studio work, experimenting with new techniques to bring her visions into physical form.
Her time at Krabbesholm culminated in a major group exhibition, first in Copenhagen and later in Skive, where she showcased her evolving artistic perspective. This experience not only deepened her practice but also allowed her to share elements of Icelandic culture in a new environment, weaving together influences from both countries.
From Nordic Landscapes to New York City
In 2022, Thelma moved to New York, immersing herself in a vastly different environment that reshaped her artistic perspective. She pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the City University of New York, refining her practice while engaging with the city's dynamic art scene.
Beyond her studies, Thelma gained hands-on experience through two internships, first as a social media manager for an art advisor and later as a sculpture assistant for a renowned Brooklyn-based artist. Her work has been featured in group exhibitions in Manhattan, where she juxtaposes the untouched Nordic landscapes of her roots with the urban energy of New York. Through her art, she continues to explore the delicate boundary between reality and the unknown.
TRUE NORTH Connection
At TRUE NORTH 2025, set for April 22, Thelma will debut her latest painting, “Within Grasps”. This striking work juxtaposes the serenity of an isolated countryside with a surreal, unsettling intervention. A familiar house, nestled in open fields beneath a dramatic sky, is firmly gripped by giant hands emerging from its structure. Both protective and invasive, these hands symbolize the complex relationship between people and their homes, exploring themes of belonging, control, and fragility.
As always, Thelma blends realism with surreal elements, evoking a sense of wonder while prompting reflection. “Within Grasps” subtly echoes the event’s environmental focus, encouraging viewers to consider their role as caretakers of the planet.
Thelma’s art embodies the wondrous meeting point of tradition and innovation. Her presence at TRUE NORTH underscores the power of visual storytelling to connect different cultures. For an up-close look at “Within Grasps” and Thelma’s creative approach, attend the showcase at the New York Estonian House on Earth Day. Tickets are available online, offering a diverse evening of Nordic and Baltic music, dance, and art.
