While Sigurboði Grétarsson is mostly known for his accomplishments as a musician and composer, his work as a craftsman and tattooist prove that his artistic talent is far from limited.
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In his episode of the Northern Fire Podcast, Sean and Sigurboði sit down to discuss traditional stories from their homes in Wales and Iceland, respectively.
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Consumed by storytelling, this hour long conversation flies by without proper mention of Sigurboði’s extensive list of accomplishments. Instead of forcing him to transcribe his resume for podcast listeners, we thought we would share them here.
THE MUSICIAN
If you haven’t heard his name, you’ve likely heard his voice...
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Sigurboði has collaborated with Danheim, Heldom, Munknörr, Vévaki, Ursprung, and Rúnfell, (to name a few).
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Sigurboði’s musical career was sparked by an affinity for metal music as a teenager/young adult (something many Viking Age enthusiasts and reenactors can relate to). After honing his instrumental skills as a member various metal bands, he shifted towards composition of traditional folk music.
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His gift for communicating through ancient sounds caught the attention of the Nordic music scene. As a native Icelander, Sigurboði’s work is organically rooted in the history of his homeland and the heathen traditions and folklore that were quieted ( but not silenced) following Christianization of the Viking territory. Tapping into this rich vein of the past gives Sigurboði’s music the layers of authenticity that plunge listeners into the marrow of his inspiration.
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Listen to Sigurboði’s skaldic poetry album Kvæðamaðr here.
THE TATTOOIST
Some wear his art on their skin...
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Sigurboði spends most of his time by the side of his fiance Hrafnhildur (who is both a muse and mentor). Known to many as the tattoo artist Habba Nero, she is renowned for her legendary and traditional handpoke style, achieving unmatched detail and dimension through her artistry.
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Image: Sigurboði and his fiance, Hrafnhildur (Habba Nero Tattoo)
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But Sigurboði’s own skill with the needle has earned him trust from clients that ask for his Nordic beasts to be tattooed on their skulls forever (and elsewhere too, of course).
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Images: Some of Sigurboði's tattoo work. Tattoos on the head require an extreme amount of trust between the artist and their client.
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Follow Sigurboði on his Instagram for more of his artwork on skin.
THE ARTISAN
Skilled artists rarely use one medium...
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When he’s not inspiring us through music or tattoos, Sigurboði is crafting one of a kind pieces of artwork, such as the carved horns and wooden boxes available here on his Northern Fire page.
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Image: One ofSigurboði's hand carved horns featuring several types of Nordic knotwork.
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Sigurboði has been working with horns for 8 years, becoming a specialist in the craft after (as a child) he admired the detail of similar pieces at Viking markets. Horns of this style and intricacy remain a rare find at markets due to the amount of time and research required to work the material, as well as the practice needed to understand and differentiate themes of Viking Age art.
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Images: A horn cup (above) inspired by the Aarhus Godmask stone (now housed in the Moesgaard Museum) and a petroglyph inspired horn (below), both completely hand carved by Sigurboði.
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His pyrography on bone, wood, and skulls gives a robust dimension specifically to Urnes style dragons. Working with natural material can be challenging for even the most skilled artisans, but those willing to respect the material are truly able to imbue life into their projects.
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Image: Whale bone pieces decorated and burned (with pyrography) sitting amongst the Red Urnes Style box that Sigurboði has painted (available here in the Northern Fire shop)
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Want more Sigurboði?
Follow Sigurboði Grétarsson HERE
Listen to him HERE
Purchase his art HERE