Gjöfin til Íslenzkrar Alþýðu / The Gift to the People

Gjöfin til Íslenzkrar Alþýðu / The Gift to the People was published in 2019, coinciding with the opening of an exhibition of the same name at the ASÍ Art Museum. This comprehensive publication includes all 147 works donated by collector Ragnar í Smára. Featuring pieces by many of the nation’s most renowned artists, the collection was the driving force behind the establishment of the ASÍ Art Museum. Ragnar’s vision was to create an art museum that would make art accessible to Iceland’s working class.

The book features reproductions of each artwork, paired with insightful commentary and historical context. Edited by museum director Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir, the book includes contributions from art historian Kristín G. Guðnadóttir, English translations by Sarah M. Brownsberger and photography by Vigfús Birgisson.

Designed by Arnar&Arnar and published by the museum itself, The Gift to the People won the golden prize at the FÍT – Icelandic Association of Graphic Designers Awards – in 2020.

Several weights of Boogie School Sans are used throughout. In one of the chapters, Romana makes an appearance alongside Boogie School Sans.