Ester Mbathera
An Icelandic artist, who created a provocative art piece titled “We’re Sorry,” inspired by the Fishrot corruption scandal, is facing a lawsuit by the fishing giant Samherji in a High Court trial in London.
Oddur Eysteinn Friðriksson, an MA Fine Arts student at the University of Bergen, said the legal action threatens his ability to defend his freedom of speech.
“This legal battle is not just about me; it’s about defending freedom of speech and the role of art in holding powerful entities accountable,” he said.
The artwork, which replicates Samherji’s website with a bold apology, has been displayed both digitally and as a mural at the Reykjavík Art Museum, sparking public debate.
His pro bono legal team from Avant-Garde Lawyers, led by free speech lawyer Andra Matei, is seeking financial support to cover trial-related expenses.
“Without financial support, I risk standing alone in court without a proper defence. We urgently need to raise money to cover travel and related expenses for my legal team to attend the trial in the UK,” he said.
He has since started a GoFundMe campaign to defend artistic freedom.
