Pétur Magnússon

Pétur Magnússon (b. Reykjavík, 1958) studied at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts, the Accademia di Belle Arti in Bologna, and the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam. After completing his studies in 1986, he remained in Amsterdam until returning to Iceland in 2003. In the Netherlands, he co-founded the famed artist-run bookstore, gallery, and publishing initiative “Boekie Woekie,” which later presented his art at Art Frankfurt in 1996. Having trained in painting and printmaking, Pétur’s early work reflects these foundations, though his practice has since evolved to focus on photography and sculpture—often incorporating a blend of steelwork and imagery in relief. His site-specific installations playfully challenge sensory perception, using material and perspective to reflect on our surroundings with philosophical nuance and humor.