Tereza Kociánová

Tereza Kociánová, born in the Czech Republic and now residing in Akureyri, Iceland, is a visual and mixed textile artist.

She holds a BA in Textile Design from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Slovakia, and studied a MA in Print Textile from the Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz, Poland. Additionally, she completed her studies in Graphic Design at Myndlistaskóli Akureyri.
Her work is characterized by a bold use of vivid, contrasting colors and a distinctive approach to form and texture. Tereza’s artistic practice involves translating elements of the natural landscape into abstract forms that merge the external environment with interior spaces. This is evident in her paintings, where fluid lines
and vibrant color palettes create dynamic interpretations of landscapes, as seen in her work that evokes both familiarity and dreamlike states.

The Fish Factory residency felt like a chain reaction in every sense. Even though I live in Iceland, I had never spent much time in the Eastfjords before, and the experience gave me a fresh perspective on the country I call home. The chains on the stones at the harbor immediately captured my imagination, sparking a new direction in my work.
I began by painting a canvas with the theme of chains, which I later transformed into a chainshaped soft sculpture.

This process of shifting between 2D and 3D became central to my explorations. I also experimented with clay, creating countless versions of chains—from sturdy, solid loops to fluid, melting shapes. Each piece felt like it connected to the next, forming a larger narrative of material, form, and transformation. The Eastfjords, the harbor, and the creative space at the Fish Factory all came together to inspire a
body of work that feels deeply tied to this place. It wasn’t just about creating—it was about connecting: with the landscape, the people, and the ideas that came to life here.