Óskar Árni Óskarsson

The fourth writer in residence was Icelandic poet Óskar Árni Óskarsson

Óskar Árni Óskarsson was born in Reykjavík on October 3rd, 1950 and spent his childhood in the central Þingholt neighbourhood, an area which figures prominently in his works. In addition to his writing career he works part-time as a librarian at the National and University Library of Iceland.

His first collection of poems, Handklæði í gluggakistunni (A Towel in the Windowsill) was published in 1986. Since then he has published nine poetry books as well as six collections of short prose. He has also published numerous translations, e.g. three books by Japanese haiku poets Issa, Buson and Basho, short story collections by Ivor Cutler, William Saroyan and Raymond Carver as well as a collection of poetry by the Norwegian poet Olav H. Hauge. He has translated stories by James Joyce and Oscar Wilde which have been published as children’s books. He was co-editor of the poetry journal Ský (Clouds), which was published in 1990-1994. His poetry has appeared in numerous other journals and collections in Iceland and abroad.

The poetry of Óskar Árni has always been personal, childhood memories and recollections abound, as well as events from daily life. His short prose pieces are full of lyric images, reflections and strange happenings, described by Óskar in his peculiar way. Many of the prose pieces are reminiscent of the writings of the Argentinian author Jorge Luis Borges, in the way that thoughts, dreams and memories merge with reality. Óskar Árni has received a number of literary prizes and nominations. In 2004 he was awarded the National Radio’s Literature Prize, in 2006 he received the Jón úr Vör Poetry Prize and was nominated for The Icelandic Literary Prize in 2008, for his book Skuggamyndir úr ferðalagi (Silhouettes from a Journey) in which the author travels around Iceland, interjecting memories, both fictional and non-fictional, about his ancestors.

A translation of Carson McCullers´ The Ballad of the Sad Café will be published in 2010 as well as a new collection of poetry, Þrjár hendur (Three Hands).

Óskar Árni Óskarsson lives in Reykjavík. He is married and has four daughters.