Jónína Guðnadóttir has long been one of Icelandʼs most prominent ceramicists and gained attention early on for her artful practical items. She was a pioneer of using clay as material for independent artworks. The development of her exceptional imagery indicates a sound knowledge of clay and a singular perception of form and creativity.

Jónína studied art at the Icelandic College of Art and Crafts and Reykjavík School of Visual Arts between 1960 and 1963. She then graduated from Konstfack, University of Arts, Crafts and Design, in Stockholm, where she studied ceramics from 1963 to 1968. That same year, she held her first solo exhibition in Unuhús in Reykjavík and has held numerous solo exhibitions since, in Iceland and abroad.