Reykjavík Museum of Photography

His photographs hang in many Icelandic homes; and it is safe to say that with such images Mats established a unique place for himself on the Icelandic photography market. It remained his exclusive domain for many years. 

The exhibition "Mats 1956–1978" focuses on Mats‘ early career, when he travelled around Iceland, taking pictures of whatever caught his attention. His photographs document Iceland and its people at a period of rapid development and high hopes in domestic production, and massive social change. His images conjure up memories, which take flight: we follow the rough gravel roads of that time, gain insight into the spirit of the age, and experience all the colourful diversity of life. Mats captures the atmosphere of the herring boom, with which he was familiar, having been a participant himself in that bonanza. We see haymaking, the development of aviation in Iceland, the expansion of the fisheries industry, and people enjoying the great outdoors, to mention just a few of the subjects depicted. 



Mats‘ photographs are an important contribution to the history of Icelandic photography. Taken on a 6x6 Hasselblad, they are characterised by sensitivity to form and impeccable composition, combining technical expertise with aesthetic quality. 
Mats is a prolific photographer. He started to take colour photographs at an early stage, and he is unusual in continuing to work with his archive: he catalogues the photographs systematically, and manages sales via his [website](http://www.mats.photoshelter.com). Along with the extensive work with the photographic catalogue, he also ran his own studio for many years. In addition, in his early career he worked as a journalist. Mats, now aged 75, still makes photographic flights whenever the weather permits. 



Mats Wibe Lund was born in Norway on 28 February 1937. He is a specialist in aerial photography, which he learned in the Royal Norwegian Air Force, in France and in Germany. His father ran a business in Oslo in the same building as the Icelandic consulate, and Mats became interested in Iceland as a result. He first visited Iceland in the summer of 1954, when he worked on archaeological excavations at the ancient episcopal seat of Skálholt. He fell for the country and people, and has lived in Iceland since 1966.

Mats has participated in many exhibitions in Iceland and abroad, and has held many one-man shows in Iceland.


Mats 1956–1978 (en)

Photographer Mats Wibe Lund is nationally known in Iceland for his aerial photographs of landscapes, farms and communities around the country.