Brynjar Ágústsson: An Artistic Journey Through Mindfulness and Photography
Early Life and Inspiration
Brynjar Ágústsson, a native of Iceland, was born into an artistic family in the northern part of the country. Surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland, Ágústsson developed an early passion for photography. His fascination with the island's rough nature, bright summer nights, dark winter skies illuminated by the northern lights, and majestic waterfalls from melting glaciers, provided a stunning backdrop for his burgeoning interest in capturing the world through his lens.
Evolution of a Photographer
Over the course of nearly three decades, Brynjar Ágústsson's photography evolved through various stages. Initially, his work consisted of random snapshots, gradually transitioning to creating images that brought others' fantasies and ideologies to life. Despite his technical prowess and artistic eye, Ágústsson struggled to infuse his images with deeper meaning, often feeling that his work was just a mere representation of the scenes before him.
The Turning Point: Mindfulness and Meditation
The significant transformation in Ágústsson's work came when he began practicing mindfulness and meditation. This new approach allowed him to connect more deeply with his inner voice and the world around him. "I felt so much liberation, like my senses were going through a resetting process and entering a state of total awareness where I could use much more of my senses," he recalls. This profound change helped him to see the objective world as a symbol, much like in a dream, and to tell a story through his images.
Influences and Philosophies
Ágústsson's philosophical journey was significantly influenced by Carl Gustav Jung's theories on archetypes, dreams, and symbolism. His understanding deepened further after reading "The Hero's Journey" by Joseph Campbell. These insights helped him categorize his images and view his artistic journey as his own hero's journey of evolving in the visual craft.
Visual Liberation
Ágústsson describes his photographic journey as one that creates more questions than answers. His work transcends simple snapshots, aiming to provoke thought and reflection. He emphasizes that a picture of something great does not necessarily make a picture great. Instead, his goal is to create images that are full of meaning and abstraction, often devoid of easily identifiable elements, pushing viewers to engage their senses rather than their analytical minds.
Connection with Nature and Healing
Living in Iceland, Ágústsson has witnessed numerous natural wonders and volcanic eruptions, which have deeply influenced his work. His practice of mindfulness and meditation has allowed him to see beyond the surface of these landscapes, integrating the elements of earth, water, fire, and air into his art. This approach has not only enhanced his creativity but also served as a healing process, helping him release old ideas and thoughts and find deeper meaning in his work.
Artistic Philosophy
Ágústsson believes that the outer reality is a reflection of the inner reality. He posits that in order for the "here" to exist, there must be a "there." This interconnectedness of the inner and outer worlds is a central theme in his work. His images aim to transcend traditional storytelling, moving into the realm of abstract and objective art that exists independently of labels and meanings.
Conclusion
Brynjar Ágústsson's journey as a photographer is one of continuous evolution and deep introspection. Through mindfulness and meditation, he has found a way to infuse his work with profound meaning, creating images that challenge viewers to look beyond the obvious and explore the deeper layers of reality. His art is a testament to the power of inner transformation and the boundless possibilities it can unlock in the creative process.
Brynjar's fine art prints are highly sought after by interior designers and corporate art buyers. His images have been widely published worldwide and have found use in advertising campaigns, product design, tourism brochures, books, magazines, and calendars.
Some of Brynjar’s clients include Restoration Hardware, Arteinmortal, and Arstspring gallery in SF.
P A R T N E R S
My healing art journey
Stages in photography
Throughout my photographic journey, which began in the 1980s, I have traversed various stages of development. In summary, it has been a gratifying process of transitioning from mere documentation to artistic expression. This path has encompassed several phases, including playful experimentation with my camera, capturing images influenced by external ideologies or fantasies, and exploring our own concepts to create visually pleasing photographs under the realm of "Landscape Cosmetology" with the intent of satisfying others.
From how to why
By nurturing curiosity and maintaining an open mind, growth within the realm of photography naturally unfolds. Through the practice of mindfulness and meditation, I embarked on an introspective journey that revealed an abundance of inspiration and creative resources within. Delving deeper into my inner world, I discovered that conscious creation held transformative power, offering profound insights into the essence of art itself.
Void of creation
By nurturing curiosity and maintaining an open mind, growth within the realm of photography naturally unfolds. Through the practice of mindfulness and meditation, I embarked on an introspective journey that revealed an abundance of inspiration and creative resources within. Delving deeper into my inner world, I discovered that conscious creation held transformative power, offering profound insights into the essence of art itself.
Magic bus of healing
As I embarked on this journey of love and creation, I found myself approaching familiar situations with a newfound sense of creativity and passion. My mind was brimming with fresh ideas that resonated with my new perspective, offering a wider array of choices and opportunities for action. The only obstacle to this process was my own mind, which attempted to exert control over the outcome. However, I recognized the need to release this control and surrender to the flow. From this state of surrender, I discovered it became easier to infuse meaning and craft narratives that extended beyond surface-level observations. These narratives became deeply personal, representing my own unique story.
From meaning to meaningless
Through storytelling, we fulfill the brain's innate desire for meaning-making. When we gather the courage to venture beyond our limited perception, we open ourselves to a vast and expansive objective reality in which to explore and engage. We begin to perceive an objective world that exists independently, devoid of any specific connections or interpretations. It can be described as form, pattern, or abstraction. As we embark on this journey, our brain might struggle to comprehend our actions since we are guided by intuition and sensory experiences rather than the analytical obsession of the mind.
Image without condition:
Based on my personal experience, when creating images, it is crucial to enter a state of mind where meaning is absent, and where external influences and restrictions do not hold sway. It is within this liberating space that the creation can transcend external influences, thoughts, ideas, and symbols, giving rise to art imbued with profound significance. However, the creation itself remains devoid of life and meaning until it encounters the interpretations and meanings assigned to it by the viewers.
The void
Rather than filling the frame with elements, I have acquired the skill of utilizing negative space, allowing the subject within the frame to exist within emptiness. This approach creates room for the viewer's imagination to complete the image, similar to observing a large white canvas where one attempts to discern meaning. However, the true significance only becomes apparent after contemplating the image for some time, as one begins to perceive a sense of infinity in the center. By embracing uncertainty and providing ample space, one unlocks a multitude of possibilities within the void.
What reflects my eternity
By embracing genuine humility, integrity, and inspiration, we transcend the notions of luck, time, right and wrong, and all the constructs of our belief system. In doing so, we access a state of perception that reveals our authentic selves. This state allows us to be fully immersed in the present moment, experiencing the here and now to its fullest extent.
And from this point of view everything is just reflection to me. Like Minor White said “…all photographs are self-portraits.” And I have a saying that the outer reality is just a reflection of my inner reality.
And here and now doesn’t need more explaining....
