Heilaþoka
(Brain Fog)

Many people know brain fog firsthand, but its causes and how we experience it vary greatly. Like actual fog, brain fog can be light and easy to navigate, or it can be thick, heavy, and seemingly endless. It’s uncomfortable, slows us down, and can even completely block our vision.

I associate brain fog with various life stages and circumstances—from childbirth and breastfeeding ("baby brain") to trauma, stress, burnout, and the menopause.

My pieces, created with acrylic on canvas, feature women surrounded by a soft, pink brain fog.

My older child, Bjartur Hafnfjörð (15 at the time), also created digital illustrations on the theme of brain fog using Procreate on iPad. Despite his young age, Bjartur knows brain fog well through his own life challenges. His pieces offer a raw, powerful insight into his mindset and experience.

We held two exhibitions for this project. The first was a four-day show at Litla Gallerý in Hafnarfjörður, followed by an exhibition at the JCI House during Culture Night in Reykjavík. Below, you can see photos from both events—some of which are shared courtesy of Litla Gallerý’s Facebook page.