Itzhak Perlman Headlines Great Neck Park District’s Summer Concert Series
10 hours ago
Iceland Sjón is an internationally acclaimed Icelandic author, renowned for his literary works across various forms and his contributions to film, including Oscar-nominated lyrics and screenplays for critically celebrated movies.
Sjón frequently collaborates with the Icelandic singer Björk, writing lyrics for many of her songs including 'Isobel' on the album Post (1995), 'Bachelorette' and 'Jóga' on Homogenic (1997), and 'Oceania' performed at the 2004 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. Their collaboration also extended to the film 'Dancer in the Dark' (2000), where Sjón co-wrote lyrics, earning an Oscar nomination.
Sjón was chosen in 2017 to be the third writer to contribute to the Future Library project, a public artwork in Norway that spans 100 years. This involves writing an original manuscript that will remain unread until 2114, published alongside 99 other texts over the century.
Sjón performed with the Icelandic band The Sugarcubes as 'Johnny Triumph', featuring as a guest vocalist on their 1987 12" single 'Luftgitar' and occasionally reprising the role for their final encores, including a 2006 reunion show.
Sjón collaborated with director Lars von Trier on the film "Dancer in the Dark" (2000), co-writing the lyrics for the movie's soundtrack, "Selmasongs". This work earned Sjón an Academy Award nomination for "Best Original Song" for "I've Seen It All".
Sjón co-wrote the screenplay for the 2022 film "The Northman" with director Robert Eggers, and is also collaborating with Eggers on the upcoming film "Werwulf" (2026).
Sjón co-wrote the 2021 film "Lamb", which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was Iceland's submission for the 2022 Academy Awards, with director Valdimar Jóhannsson.
Sjón contributed the original story and wrote the screenplay for the animated film "Anna and the Moods" in 2007, also voicing the character Dr. Artmann.
Sjón served as writer-in-residence at the Literaturhaus Zurich and the PWG Foundation in Zurich from August to December 2021.
Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson, known as Sjón, was born on August 27, 1962, in Reykjavík, Iceland. He began his writing career at a young age, publishing his first poetry book, “Sýnir” (Visions), in 1978 when he was 16. During his youth, he was heavily influenced by literature such as The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, and by figures like David Bowie for his explorations in various art forms. Sjón also co-founded the neo-surrealist group Medúsa, becoming a notable figure in Reykjavík’s cultural scene in the early 1980s. His early career also involved contributions to the Icelandic music scene, including performing with The Sugarcubes under the name Johnny Triumph.
Sjón’s career expanded significantly into diverse creative fields. In 2000, he collaborated with Björk and Lars von Trier, co-writing the lyrics for songs in the film “Dancer in the Dark,” which earned him an Academy Award nomination for “Best Original Song” for “I’ve Seen it All.” His literary achievements include winning the Nordic Council’s Literature Prize in 2005 for his novel “The Blue Fox,” and being shortlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize for “From the Mouth of the Whale.” In 2017, Sjón was selected as the third writer to contribute to the Future Library project, a public artwork in Norway.
More recently, Sjón has made significant contributions to screenwriting. He co-wrote the screenplay for “Lamb” in 2021, an Icelandic film that received critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival and was shortlisted for the Best International Film Oscar. In 2022, he co-wrote “The Northman,” a Viking revenge drama which premiered to positive reception and became a top ten grossing film in the US. His novels and poems have been translated into over 40 languages, further solidifying his international presence. He continues to live and work in Reykjavík, developing new scripts and literary projects.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
