2024 - Queer Artists Reykjavík

Photographer: Franesco Giordano
Project: Queer Artists Reykjavík

Embla Guðrúnar Ágústsdóttir is a performance artist, including improv, dance, spoken poetry and burlesque shows. Embla actively engages in disability and queer activism in Iceland, having started as a teenager. Early experiences revealed the lack of intersectionality in activism, prompting her to co-found „Tabú“, a feminist disability movement addressing discrimination with workshops and by opening up Taboo discussions around disability. Embla emphasizes the need to bridge gaps between various activist groups for a more inclusive approach. Despite progress, she acknowledges the slow pace of change and continues to explore different forms of expression on stage.

Emblar has spent her entire life in Reykjavik, primarily residing in the suburbs. Despite being a city person, her relationship with Reykjavik is nuanced. While she frequents the city for specific needs and events, she faces challenges due to Iceland’s cold weather and limited accessibility in certain areas, particularly the city center. Embla navigates familiar places where accessibility is assured, acknowledging the complications of attending events in small spaces. She emphasizes the extra effort required in preparing for performances at new venues, highlighting the often overlooked accessibility concerns for artists.

Embla actively participates in the local queer community. She values the expanding variety of events and appreciates the opportunity to exchange ideas within the community. Embla finds significance in living a queer life, seeing it as both an inherent identity and a conscious choice to challenge societal norms. For her, queerness means embracing the freedom to live beyond gender and sexuality stereotypes. Over the years, her understanding has evolved from focusing solely on sexuality to encompassing a broader perspective, with a commitment to creating a queer family life for her child, fostering gender expression fluidity and challenging societal expectations.