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The Sun Voyager

The Sun Voyager is a sculpture in Reykjavík, Iceland, created by Jón Gunnar Árnason in 1986. It was selected in a competition held for Reykjavík’s 200th anniversary, and the original aluminium model was presented to the city. The full-size sculpture was later built at its present site and unveiled on 18 August 1990. Made of stainless steel, it stands on the northern coastal road Sæbraut and resembles a Viking ship. Although it was originally intended to face the sunset, it was installed facing north with the artist’s agreement. It is one of the most photographed artworks in Reykjavík, and its metal surface appears to glow in sunrise and sunset light.

The Sun Voyager sculpture beside calm water under a cloudy sky.
The Sun Voyager sculpture stands by the water with distant land and cloudy skies in the background.
August 2026 ©
The Sun Voyager sculpture stands beside the water with a cruise ship in the background.
The Sun Voyager sculpture on Reykjavik’s waterfront, with a cruise ship visible in the distance.
July 2026 © Maite (Tagzania user ID: 5581) · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Sun Voyager sculpture seen through its curved metallic forms, with blue water, a distant cityscape, and hills in the background.
The Sun Voyager frames a view across the water toward Reykjavik and the hills beyond.
© · CC0
The Sun Voyager sculpture in the foreground with dark water and distant mountains under cloudy skies.
The Sun Voyager stands by the water in Reykjavik, with mountains visible across the bay.
© · CC0
Rocky embankment beside calm water and a paved path with Reykjavik buildings in the distance.
A rocky shoreline beside a paved path in Reykjavik, with the city skyline visible beyond the water.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleThe Sun Voyager
Original Icelandic nameSólfar
Other language titlesSonnenfahrt (German); Le Voyageur du Soleil (French)
TypeOutdoor sculpture

Historical context

Commission purposeTo commemorate the 200th anniversary of Reykjavík
CompetitionWon a 1986 competition organized by the district association of the western part of Reykjavík for the city’s 200th anniversary

Creator

ArtistJón Gunnar Árnason (1931–1989)
Artist name in articleÁrnason

Discovery and provenance

Model recipientCity of Reykjavík
Model dimensions42.5 × 88 × 36 cm
Original modelAn aluminum sculpture measuring 42.5 × 88 × 36 cm was handed over to the city of Reykjavík for enlargement
Model materialAluminum
Full-size versionA full-size version was built at the current site
Year created1986

Physical characteristics

MaterialStainless steel
BaseA circle of polished granite slabs surrounded by so-called town-hall concrete
FormIrregular silhouette evoking a Viking ship

Appearance

DescriptionA dream boat and an ode to the sun
OrientationOriginally intended to face west toward the setting sun; installed at its final location facing north with the artist’s agreement
Visual effectAt sunrise and sunset the metal appears to glow
Visual effectDifferent light and weather conditions create variety in its appearance

Iconography and meaning

MotifHeading toward the setting sun
InterpretationEvokes a territory yet to be discovered, a dream of hope, progress, and freedom

Location and ownership

Current locationSæbraut, Reykjavík, Iceland, on a small headland by the sea
Former proposed locationsWest Reykjavík; Landakot hill; by the harbour in central Reykjavík on a specially constructed base; the coastline by Ánanaust
Original intended placementLandakot hill, with the prow facing the centre of Reykjavík and the stern toward Christ the King Cathedral
Later preferred locationThe coastline by Ánanaust
Final location decisionSæbraut, with Árnason’s consent
Artist’s nickname for the siteJónsnes ('Jón's Peninsula')

History and restoration

Location change reasonChanges in Reykjavík town planning ruled out the coastline by Ánanaust
FabricationReynir Hjálmtýsson and his assistant
SupervisionKristinn E. Hrafnsson supervised the work; Sigurjón Yngvason supervised the engineering in close cooperation with Árnason
Construction methodBuilt in accordance with Jón Gunnar Árnason’s enlarged full-scale hand-drawn plan
Unveiling locationSæbraut, Reykjavík
Unveiling occasionReykjavík’s city anniversary / the birthday of the city of Reykjavík
Unveiling date18 August 1990

Significance

PopularityOne of the most photographed artworks in Reykjavík
Public disputeThere has been some dispute about the sculpture’s eventual location and whether it should face west toward the setting sun
Historical associationThe site is associated with Ingólfur Arnarson, said to have established his farm here as the first permanent settler

Other

Artistic philosophyAll works of art should convey a message that transcends the work itself
Role of the observerThe observer is responsible for interpreting the work in his or her own way and becomes a participant in its creation
Typical reception of the artist's worksThey frequently make demands on observers and give them the opportunity to discover new truths through experience
Stylistic featuresEver-flowing lines and poetic movement
Spatial relationshipIt seems as if the ship is floating on air and reaches out into space so that the sea, the sky, and the observer’s mind become part of the work as a whole