Inga Torfadottir

Winnipeg Free Press, Manitoba - Logberg Heimskringla, Manitoba- Winnipeg Art Gallery Permanent Collection Publication- The Studio Potter Network, UK- Winnipeg Free Press, Manitoba- Morgunbladid, Iceland- Timinn, Iceland- Vikubladid, Iceland- Winnipeg Free Press, Manitoba- Logberg Heimskringla, Manitoba- Logberg Heimskringla, Manitoba- Logberg Heimskringla, Manitoba.

The Icelandic Collection U of M, 2007 and 2004 - The Department of Icelandic Language and Literature U of M, 2007 and 2004 - The Paul Gudmundsson Memorial Scholarship, 2007 and 2004 - Islendingadagurinn Manitoba Purchase Award, 2004 - Manitoba Arts Council Short Term Grant, 2003 - M.C.C. Wpg. Juror's Award, 2003 and 2001 - Islendingadagurinn Manitoba Best of Show, 1998 - Islendingadagurinn Manitoba Juror's Award, 1994 - Islendingadagurinn Manitoba Honorable Mention, 1992 and 1991 - M.C.C. Wpg. Juror's Award, 1990.

Inga Torfadottir was born and raised in Iceland and immigrated to Canada in 1976. After having studied fine arts at Myndlista og Handidaskoli Islands [Icelandic Collage of Art and Design] and Myndlistaskoli Reykjavikur [Reykjavik Collage of Fine Art] she developed a keen interest in working with clay and has been producing fine pottery for over 25 years. As an active member of The Stoneware Studio [and The Stoneware Gallery 1994-2003] she has taught pottery and ceramic art to adults for over 20 years.
Inga has received numerous awards for her work. Her pieces are exhibited and sold throughout Canada and Iceland and held in many public collections such as; Government of Iceland, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Government of Manitoba, National Art Gallery of North Korea, Stangveidifelag Islands and Felag Ungra Sjalfstaedismanna as well as private collections across North America, Europe, Australia, North Korea and China.
In recent years, surface treatment and pictoral expression have become increasingly evident in Inga's work. This has led to her interest in the art of printmaking. In 2001 she became a member of the Manitoba Printmakers Association [Martha Street, Winnipeg]. Presently she is working on a series of prints inspired by the Sagas and the legacy of the Norse Vikings.
Inga has this to say about her work:

"Through printmaking I have found a way to explore the nature of space and time and to seek out the mysterious trails that lead into the subconscious underworld where the ancient Gods of the Vikings still exist.
With my monotypes, I attempt to evoke a mood or a feeling that connects the past with the present through personal interpretation of color, form, texture and light. The images on the copper etchings are more of of a narrative nature, based on mythological themes from the Norse myths as well as visual flashbacks from the time of the Vikings. I sketch my images on paper and develop them on copper plates through several working stages. Drawing on the proofs helps me to examine and evaluate my work so that I may determine the next stage. Working in this way brings me to a deeper understanding of the subject than would be possible with any other medium.
It is my hope that these prints express and reflect some of the passion and excitement that I feel for these mysterious and dramatic times in Europe's historical past."

2009 "Quadrangle" M.P.A. Wpg. MB, group
"Paperart" Mona Lisa Restaurant, Wpg. MB, solo

2008 "NUNA/now" the collage party, Wpg. MB.
"All of the Above" M.P.A. Members Exhibition, Wpg. MB.

2007 "SAGAS" Dr. Paul H.T. Thorlakson Gallery, University of Manitoba, solo
"SMALLPRINT/BIGIMPRESSION" Leicester, U.K. group
"NUNA/now" Adelaide McDermot Gallery, Wpg. MB.
"In our Back Yard" The Edge Gallery, Wpg. MB, group
"Imprint" The McGarry Guild Gallery, Wpg. MB, group
M.P.A. Members Exhibition, Wpg. MB.
"Confrontations" Cre8ery, Wpg. MB. group

2006 "Seasons of Lighht", Wasagaming Gallery, MB.
"Year of the Dog" Ken Segal Gallery, Wpg.
Islendingadagurinn, Art Exhibition, Gimli, MB

2005 The 4th International Print Exchange, Schorndorf, Germany
Islendingadagurinn, Annual Art Exhibition, Gimli, MB.
M.P.A. Members Exhibition, Lunenburg, NS.

2004 "Ode to Odin" Dr. Paul H.T. Thorlakson Gallery, U of M. solo
Islendingadagurinn, Annual Art Exhibition, Gimli, MB.

2003 M.P.A. Members Exhibition, Wpg. MB.
"On Site" Site Gallery, Wpg. MB. group
"Watch for the Wave" Interlake, MB. group
"Odur til Odins" Gallery 11, Reykjavik, Iceland, solo
"Cutting Edges: New Directions" Universety of Manitoba, solo
Winnipeg City Hall, M.P.A. Members Exhibition, Wpg. MB.

2001 M.C.C. Wpg. 16th Annual Spring Exhibition, juried

2000 Art Space, Open Studio Collective
Stoneware Gallery, 20th Anniversary Exhibition, Wpg. MB.

1998 Islendingadagurinn, Art Exhibition, Gimli MB. group

1997 "Fiber and Clay" M.C.C. Wpg. juried
"A Skolo" Reykjavik, Iceland, solo

1995 "Spring Blooms" M.C.C. Wpg, juried

1994 Islendingadagurinn, Art Exhibition, Gimli, M.B. group

1993 "Aevintyraheimur i Leir", Reykjavik, Iceland, solo
"A Little Madness" M.C.C. Wpg. juried
"Set the Table" A.C.C. AB. juried

1992 "Good Things Come in Small Packages" M.C.C. Wpg. juried
Islendingadagurinn, Gimli, MB. group
"Tea for Ten" Winnipeg Art Gallery, group
"Artists on the Avenue", Wpg. MB.
"Contemporary Focus" Winnipeg Art Gallery, group

1991 "A Roof with a Wiew" Winnipeg Art Gallery, group
"Cups" A.P.A., Calgary, juried
M.C.C. Wpg. 6th Annual Spring Exhibition, juried
Islendingadagurinn, Gimli, MB. group
Interior Design Show, Wpg. MB.

1990 M.C.C. Wpg. Portfolio Show, group
"A Skolo" Reykjavik, Iceland, solo
The Home Innovation Show, Wpg. MB.
A.C.C. " No Restrictions Allowed", AB. juried
Western Canadian Exhibition of Crafts, Calgary, AB.
"Spring Fever: Pattern and Print" M.C.C. Wpg. juried

1989 The Art Network, Wpg. MB. group

"Printmaking is a process of continuing discovery for me. Each work must arise from it's own energy. Depicting "what we see" is not a point, but exploring a new territory of being, the layers communicating nuances in the expression of the the mysterious and unknown, informed by combination of color, form and line. Gesture and surface movement play a major role in the highly active compositions. While I do not strive for polished technical performances, content and explorations that create emotional connection for the viewer is a major element in my work".