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Bríetarbrekka

Bríetarbrekka

Ólöf Nordal


  • Year : 2007
  • Height : cm
  • Width : 600 cm
  • Category : Skúlptúr
  • Sub-category : Umhverfislistaverk

Location: Þingholtsstræti 7. This artwork is in remembrance of the suffragette Bríet Bjarnhéðinsdóttir (1856-1940). Rather than sculpting a traditional statue in Bríet’s image, the artist chose to create an environmental artwork where people can assemble and speculate about history. It is possible to sit or stand on the slopes around the granite plate, a small hill in the corner is meant as a dais. The work is based on a wallhanging which Bríet embroidered for her daughter, Laufey Valdimarsdóttir, with the following verse which is believed to by Bríet herself: „Don‘t be afraid, girl, you shall stand, navigate your journey across space and land, explore at leisure the world at hand.“ Bríet dreamt of freedom for her daughter, and the encouragement in the poem is equally applicable today. Bríet Bjarnhéðinsdóttir has been called the leader of the women‘s rights movement in Iceland. In 1895, she started publishing The Women’s Magazine, one of the principal herald of women’s rights and the biggest media for women. In 1907, Bríet founded The Icelandic Women’s Rights Association and served as its chairwoman until 1926. When women in Reykjavík became eligible to vote and run in council elections in 1908, Bríet got all the women’s association in Reykjavík to join forces in 1908-1916 and present a list with female candidates only.

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