Dublin, Ohio – January 7, 2024 – This spring, Dublin Arts Council will host the U.S. debut of
A Journey of Iceland – From Darkness to Light, an immersive exhibition co-created by Dublin,
Ohio based writer Erin Boggs and Icelandic artist Einar Örn. Running from March 8 to April 25,
2025, the exhibition, and the book of the same name, incorporate art, poetry, and music to
transport audiences through the mystery and complex beauty of Iceland’s environment and
culture.
After a successful launch in Iceland in November 2024, A Journey of Iceland makes its way to
the U.S. at Dublin Arts Council, bringing together the creative visions of Boggs, Örn, and
Icelandic musician Kaktus Einarsson. Einar, a key figure in Iceland’s punk scene and member of
the post punk band, the Sugarcubes, created charcoal drawings as a response to Erin’s poems
which are inspired by her first impressions of Iceland. Kaktus’ atmospheric soundscapes set the
tone and follow the flow from dark to light. Together, they create an immersive experience that
invites audiences to explore the mystery, weather, landscapes and culture of Iceland.
“I had always wanted to visit Iceland and I’ve been a fan of Einar’s work since the 80’s with the
Sugarcubes, so I reached out to ask if he was exhibiting his art,” said Boggs. “After visiting in
March 2022 and meeting Einar, I felt inspired and began writing about my first impressions of
Iceland. I reached out to Einar again and asked if he wanted to collaborate, and together, we’ve
created an experience that intertwines art, poetry, and music, creating a conversation from each
of our unique perspectives.”
What sets A Journey of Iceland apart is its narrative approach, offering audiences a dual
perspective: that of a local and an alien. Reflecting on the collaboration, Einar Örn said, “What
Erin wrote about is an observation of what Iceland did to her. And then my art is inflicted by
what I got out of her poems. But the difference is that I’m a local and she’s an alien, a foreigner,
and sometimes I’m commenting on her experience, not just illustrating each poem.”
As Dublin Arts Council Executive Director David S. Guion, Ph.D notes, “Erin’s collaboration
with these influential Icelandic artists allows audiences to connect with Iceland on a deeply
personal level. This exhibition embodies the spirit of exploration and transformation that we
celebrate at Dublin Arts Council.”
Event Details:
Exhibition Dates: March 8 – April 25, 2025
Location: Dublin Arts Council, 7125 Riverside Dr, Dublin, OH 43016
Gallery Hours: Tue-Fri 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Second Saturdays 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Admission: Free admission and parking
For more information on A Journey of Iceland – From Darkness to Light, visit Erin Boggs’
website at erinboggs.art or the Dublin Arts Council website at dublinarts.org.
About Erin Boggs:
Erin Boggs is a writer and poet from Ohio. Drawing inspiration from her travels around the
world, she creates a picture for readers to experience these environments through her
observations. Using the five senses to build the foundation for her wordscapes, Erin creates
imagery ranging from the everyday to other worldly.
About Einar Örn:
Einar Örn Benediktsson is an artist and entrepreneur from Reykjavík, Iceland. He has been an
important figurehead and a leading catalyst in the Icelandic art and culture scene since the late
70’s. Einar’s drawings, a personal daily ritual, explore anecdotes and real-life situations with
such unique style of execution and storytelling that it borders on the surreal and dada-esque.
About Kaktus Einarsson:
Kaktus Einarsson is an Icelandic musician and artist celebrated for his eclectic and innovative
approach to music. Born and raised in Reykjavík, he blends electronic, classical, and pop
influences to create a unique sound. Kaktus launched his solo career with the release of his debut
album, Kick the Ladder, in 2021, followed by his second album, Lobster Coda, in 2024,
featuring collaborations with notable artists such as Nanna (of Monsters and Men) and Damon
Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz). Previously, Kaktus gained recognition as a member of the post-punk
band Fufanu, where he showcased his versatility as a vocalist and instrumentalist. Kaktus
Einarsson continues to push creative boundaries, solidifying his place in the contemporary
Icelandic music scene.
About Dublin Arts Council:
Dublin Arts Council (DAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a thriving local arts agency
which administers comprehensive, engaging programs including a variety of award-winning Art
in Public Places projects, a yearlong Visual Arts Series and the annual DAC Sundays at Scioto
concert series. DAC is committed to programs and events with strong emphasis on education and
community-building. DAC serves as a community convener and thought leader for using art as a
catalyst for social change and cultural cohesion. Dublin Arts Council engages the community,
cultivates creativity and fosters life-long learning through the arts. DAC is supported in part by
the City of Dublin’s hotel/motel tax which was established to improve quality of life for
residents, corporate citizens and visitors through community investment in projects and events
that enhance visitor appeal, enrich the aesthetic of public property, provide cultural arts
experiences, support business, attract positive local, regional and national attention, and
encourage overnight stays in Dublin. DAC is also supported by state tax dollars allocated by the
Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and
supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and
economically. In addition, Dublin Arts Council is supported by the National Endowment for the
Arts, contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, fundraising events, gallery
sales and in-kind contributions. Dublin Arts Council is located at 7125 Riverside Dr. in Dublin,
Ohio. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. 5 p.m., and the second Saturday of each
month, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 614.889.7444 or visit https://dublinarts.org/.
