Homage to the Glacier

Seeking inspiration from the remarkable ice formations and landscape of Iceland, artists Peter Bremers and Jim Schantz traveled there in May 2023. Bremers had previously been influenced by the icy landscapes of the Polar regions. Their journey together brought the two along the southeastern coast of Iceland, where they explored Vatnajökull, the second largest glacier in Europe. The ice floes of this glacier tumble into the Glacier Lagoon, Jökulsárlón, an environment that became a major source for their artistic endeavors—icebergs are visually inspiring, offering the opportunity to create new formations and compositions.

Icelandic glaciers have been rapidly retreating for more than two decades and glacier down-wasting is one of the most obvious consequences of the warming climate. Glaciers in Iceland reached their maximum size at the end of the 19th century. Runoff from the glaciers has also been changing, and new glacial lakes have formed or increased in size in front of many of them, while some of these monumental glaciers have completely disappeared.

As Vatnajökull recedes, these iceberg formations are visual reminders of climate change and the delicate balance of our planet. Through these works, Bremers and Schantz intend to pay tribute to these monumental, ethereal forms, while reminding us of the results of global warming.

Featured image: Inside the Ice Cave V, 2024, Peter Bremers