Björk biography
Synopsis
Björk Gudmundsdottir on November 21, 1965, in Reykjavik, Iceland. Björk founded the band the Sugarcubes in 1986 before striking out on her own to a hugely successful solo career in 1993. In 2000, Bjork appeared on the big screen in the critically acclaimed film Dancer in the Dark. She also scored the film and won the Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance.
Early Life
Musician, singer and actress Björk Gudmundsdottir was born on November 21, 1965, in Reykjavik, Iceland. Having grown up in a highly musical household, Björk released her first album of traditional Icelandic folk songs when she was only 11.
Early Career
Throughout her teen years, Björk sang for a series of anarchist punk bands. In 1986, Björk and fellow Kukl members Einer Orn and Siggi Baldurson formed the pop group the Sugarcubes. Joined by new members Thor Eldon (with whom Björk conceived a child in 1986), Magg Ornotfsdottir and Bragi Olafsson, Sugarcubes released their full-length debut, Life's Too Good, in 1988, winning a cult following in the U.K. and U.S. The final Sugarcubes album, 1992's It's It, was a collection of dance remixes of earlier material, a result of Björk's fascination with the genre.
Successful Solo Career
In 1993, Björk released her first solo album as an adult, aptly named Debut, which sold nearly three million copies worldwide. The release featured two Top 20 singles, Human Behaviour and Big Time Sensuality. After relocating to London, Björk released 1995's Post, which outsold her first album thanks to innovative collaborations with techno gurus Graham Massey, Howie B and Tricky.
In 2000, the diminutive Icelandic pop star appeared on the big screen in the critically acclaimed film by Danish director Lars von Trier, Dancer In The Dark. Though it was rumored that tension grew between the director and his star, who also scored the film, Björk won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance. Further acclaim arrived in early 2001, when Björk and von Trier were nominated for a Best Song Academy Award for I've Seen It All. She made fashion history when she wore her infamous "swan dress" while performing the song at the 2001 Academy Award Ceremony.
It was also in 2001 that Björk released her first album in four years, Vespertine. She continued to build her career as a singer by releasing the albums Medúlla (2004), Volta (2007) and Biophilia (2011), each with their own unique aesthetic and message. Björk performed a single from her album Medúlla entitled "Oceania" at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Personal Life
Björk had a child with ex-bandmate Thór Eldon in 1986, the same year that the couple got married. Their child, Sindri Eldon Thórsson, was born on June 8, 1986. Three years later, the couple divorced and Björk left the Sugarcubes to pursue a solo career.
She went on to hold relationships with other members of the music industry, including the U.K. artists Tricky of Massive Attack and Goldie, before meeting Matthew Barney—the artist responsible for the Cremaster project, which combines various forms of art resulting in a cryptic and captivating product. The couple met in New York while Björk was promoting the film Dancer in the Dark, for which Björk was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress.
Although the couple hasn't gotten married, they have been in a relationship since 2000. The pair, who have worked together on the film Drawing Restraints 9, also have a child together, Isadora Bjarkardottir Barney, born on October 3, 2002. She currently lives in New York City with her boyfriend Barney and her two children.