Bjarni Sigurbjörnsson: Flesh and Mind, Body Consciousness in Painting

In this episode, Bjarni Sigurbjörnsson and I, continue our discussion on body consciousness in painting with a focus on the flesh and mind. I open the discussion by reading a passage from an essay the artist wrote years ago quoting Merleau Ponty, “It’s not the mind that paints it is the body.”

We further talk about aspects of Gilles Deleuze, “The Logic of Sensation” where the philosopher states: “There are two ways in which I can experience the viewing of a painting: One, is the abstract form which affects the head and brain. Second, in the “figure” which Cezanne labels the sensation. The sensation is the form which interacts “immediately upon the nervous system which is the flesh.” This influential text brings about a deeper conversation regarding Sigurbjörnsson’s current body of work related to the heart.  The artist shares his research and findings. 

Bjarni Sigurbjörnsson received his Bachelors and Masters of Fine Art at San Francisco Institute of the Art. After completing his degrees, he returned to Reykjavik to continue his career in art. During this time, the artist received a two-year stipend from, Icelandic Government for a sizeable site-specific land commission that combined painting and sculpture. In 2003, he took part in Los Angeles International Biennial, and the following year, he participated in the Pilsen International Biennial of Drawing. Over the past 25 years, Sigurbjörnsson has had numerous gallery and museums exhibitions in the U.S.A. and Europe.

Visit the artist's website: http://www.bjarnisig.com