Karen Briem Icelandic, b. 1983
“Exploring textiles and found objects through transformation, reuse, and material memory.”
Karen Briem (b. 1983) is an Icelandic artist working across visual art, installation, and performance. Trained as a costume designer, her practice has evolved from theatre and dance into independent visual art projects that blur the boundaries between sculpture, scenography, textiles, and installation.
Central to Briem’s work is the transformation of materials, particularly textiles and found objects. Through processes of reuse, upcycling, and handcraft, she explores material memory, physical presence, and the stories embedded within objects. Rather than treating textiles as decorative surfaces, she approaches them as sculptural media capable of shaping entire environments and creating immersive experiences.
Sustainability and material transformation have been recurring themes throughout her career. Drawing on extensive experience in costume design for theatre, opera, and dance productions in Iceland and abroad, she has developed a practice rooted in the creative potential of existing materials. This approach informs both her artistic methodology and her interest in building atmospheric, site-responsive installations.
In recent years, Briem has increasingly focused on participatory and interactive works that invite audiences to engage directly with the artwork. Her installations often balance playfulness and unease, transforming familiar materials into strange, tactile environments that encourage curiosity, exploration, and sensory engagement.
Alongside her visual art practice, Briem has designed costumes for institutions including the National Theatre of Iceland, the Iceland Dance Company, Burgtheater in Vienna, Volksbühne Berlin, Theater Basel, and the State Opera of Hannover. She holds an MA in Costume Design from the London College of Fashion and is a co-founder of Skrímslaverksmiðjan (The Monster Factory), an ongoing collaborative project exploring creativity, participation, and material transformation.
Education
MA, Costume Design
London College of Fashion, London, UK (2012–2014)
Diploma, Fashion Design
Copenhagen Fashion and Design College, Copenhagen, Denmark (2009–2011)
Selected Costume Design Projects
2025
Orpheus' Rings and Other Gossip — The Iceland Dance Company, Reykjavík, Iceland
Látið blómin tala (Let the Flowers Speak) — Beautiful Accidents, Reykjavík, Iceland
Sérstæðan — Tjarnarbíó, Reykjavík, Iceland
2024
Liminal States — The Iceland Dance Company, Reykjavík, Iceland
Jagged Little Pill — Reykjavík City Theatre, Reykjavík, Iceland
2023
The Edda — National Theatre of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
Parsifal — State Opera of Hannover, Germany
50th Anniversary Production — The Iceland Dance Company, Reykjavík, Iceland
2022
Temple of Appropriated Histories — Staatstheater Kassel, Germany
Der Sturm — Burgtheater, Vienna, Austria
2021
Romeo and Juliet — The Iceland Dance Company, Reykjavík, Iceland
2020
Eine Odyssee — Volksbühne Berlin, Germany
Die Edda — Burgtheater, Vienna, Austria
2019
Die Räuber — Theater Basel, Switzerland
A Midsummer Night's Dream — National Theatre of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
2018
Macbeth — Staatstheater Hannover, Germany
Die Edda — Staatstheater Hannover, Germany
2017–2022
Costume Design and Character Development for the performance group Hatari
Selected Residencies and Artistic Projects
2026
Monstery, installation, Ásmundarsalur, Reykjavík, Iceland
2026
Enn ein U-beygjan, group exhibition, Havarí, Reykjavík, Iceland
2017
Artist Residency and Exhibition, Arteles Creative Center, Finland
2016
Artist Residency and Exhibition, Richmond Art Collective Gallery, Spokane, USA
2016–Present
Co-founder and Workshop Director, Skrímslaverksmiðjan (The Monster Factory), Reykjavík, Iceland
2015
Endurfæðing (Rebirth) — Interactive installation supported by the City of Reykjavík
2014
Workshop Director, LungA Festival and LungA School, Seyðisfjörður, Iceland
Awards and Nominations
2025
Nomination for Costume Design of the Year (Gríman Awards) for Orpheus' Rings and Other Gossip
2021
Nomination for Costume Design of the Year (Gríman Awards) for Romeo and Juliet
2018
Die Edda (Staatstheater Hannover) received the Faust Award for Production of the Year
