From Icelandic Jewelry Designer to London-based Painter, Hendrikka Waage´s Journey Reflects a Rich Tapestry of Artistic Evolution

Internationally collected contemporary artist Hendrikka Waage continues to expand her evolving art practice through a body of work that explores energy, emotional presence, perception, and the complexity of human attention in contemporary life. Born and raised in Reykjavik and currently splitting her time between London and Iceland, Waage brings a distinctly international perspective to her work, shaped by decades of creative practice and life experiences spanning Japan, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Her paintings merge expressive color, layered texture, and symbolic figuration into compositions that feel both emotionally immediate and deeply contemplative.

Before transitioning fully into painting, Waage spent more than two decades as an acclaimed jewelry designer, an experience that continues to influence her sensitivity to material, balance, texture, and detail. Her now-recognizable “Wonderful Beings” series — often featuring female figures with a single ear — emerged as a reflection on selective listening and the overwhelming nature of modern information culture. Through vibrant surfaces and emotionally charged compositions, Waage explores the idea that not everything demands our attention, inviting viewers instead into a quieter, more intuitive space centered on presence, resonance, and emotional clarity. We recently had the pleasure to chat with the artist to learn more about her work, and current projects:


Q – Your creative journey began in luxury jewelry design. What inspired your transition to painting?

A – Art has always been part of my life, I grew up drawing and painting. Jewelry design became my first professional outlet but during the COVID years I found myself returning to painting. What started as a personal rediscovery quickly evolved into a vital part of my creative journey. The shift happened quite naturally. After two decades of crafting jewelry, I started to create portraits of my “Wonderful beings” featuring ladies with a single ear, exploring the theme of selective listening in our information-saturated age. The motif is open to interpretation, but one interpretation is that in today´s world, with an influx of information coming from every direction, you don´t have to listen to everything. Ultimately the motif is open-ended, open to boundless possibilities from one viewer to the next. My work and style reflects the inspirations from my travels and the countries I have lived in including Iceland, Japan, Russia, USA, and UK. I currently split my time between Reykjavik and London.

Q – How does your background in fine jewelry influence your approach to materials and texture?

A – Jewelry taught me discipline, attention to detail, and sensitivity to materials. That carries into my paintings through a focus on texture, layering, and surface. Each work is built carefully, with an emphasis on balance, depth, and subtlety.

Q – What ideas, themes, or emotions are you currently exploring in your paintings?

A – I do work a lot on my selective listening theme. I am exploring ideas around energy, movement, and emotional presence — how a painting can hold a kind of vitality that feels immediate and alive. In my current work, I am exploring the idea of energy of joy at a higher frequency — how a painting can carry a sense of vibration, lightness, and elevation that is felt as much as it is seen.

Q – Can you describe your studio process when developing a new piece?

A – I usually work with my concept in mind and I begin with loose sketches. On my larger paintings, I experiment more with layering and texture, and I test how different materials interact before committing to a direction. Usually, it comes easy and I work intuitively and often revisit the work as well.

Q – How do you see your work evolving as you prepare for your upcoming exhibition?

A – As I prepare for the upcoming exhibition, I see my work evolving in a way that feels more focused and intentional, while still holding onto the sense of energy and spontaneity that drives my process. Iam also becoming more aware of how the works relate to one another as a group. It´s not just about individual pieces anymore,but about creating a dialogue across the exhibition — where energy, color, and movement carry through the space in a cohesive way.

Q – What draws you to Miami as a place to present your work?

A – What draws me to Miami as a place to present my work is both personal and professional. I have a deep connection to the area, having lived in Fort Lauderdale for five years in my late twenties while completing my bachelor´s and master’s degrees. During that time, I visited Miami often and developed a strong appreciation for its energy, diversity, and vibrant art scene. Miami feels like a natural fit for my work. The city has a unique openness to color, expression, and experimentation that really resonates with my practice. I´ve also had the opportunity to exhibit twice at Red Dot Miami, where my work was very well received and sold successfully. Those experiences reinforced my sense that Miami is not just a place I enjoy personally, but also a place where my work connects strongly with an audience.

Q – What do you hope collectors experience when they encounter your painting?

A – I hope they feel a strong sense of energy and joy — an immediate, instinctive pull that draws them in. There’s an energy in the work that I want to feel uplifting and alive, something that resonates without needing explanation. Ultimately, I hope the work brings a dynamic presence into a space — something that energizes, uplifts, and continues to evolve with the viewer over time.

Q – You have exhibited your work during Art Basel Miami Beach before, will you be showcasing your art work during Miami Art Week again this year?

A – Yes, and this time around I will be at Scoop, represented by Artio Gallery. I am really looking forward to it.

As her international visibility and popularity continue to grow, Waage’s work increasingly resonates with collectors and audiences both globally and within the Miami market. Following successful presentations during Art Basel Miami Beach Week and beyond, the artist now prepares for upcoming exhibitions and new presentations that further expand the dialogue surrounding her work, its evolving visual language, and its growing international reach.

Follow Hendrikka Waage on Instagram @hendrikkawaagearts