I first saw these colourful and magical artworks by the Icelandic-born artist Kristjana S. Williams in Liberty of London, and then again at last year’s Design Junction show, where it was only the fact that I was completely incapable of choosing a favourite that stopped me buying one.
A graduate of Central St Martin’s, Kristjana’s work mixes elements of Victorian engravings with contemporary illustration and colour palettes to create exotic, sometimes phantasmagorical, creatures and landscapes.
I tend to like my colour, bright or otherwise, with lots of white space around it for a spacious, contemporary feel, so works such as Lear Gaukur 05 (left) and Andy Audobon CMYK and Fjoluraut Pall, seen below, are right up my street.
For lovers of things darker and more mysterious, other extraordinarily detailed illustrations feature dense tangles of forest and jungle, populated with psychedelic flora and fauna, as in Astrikur Raudi below.
Kristjana’s recent work includes large scale mural displays at the V&A for the London Design Festival 2012, a solo exhibition “Dyragardurin” at Outline Editions’ temporary gallery in Soho, a collaboration with heritage furniture maker George Smith (see left) and wallpaper designer Cole & Son, and commissions for the Chanel Group amongst others.
As well as prints, you can find her illustrations on cushions, scarves, trays and limited edition globes.
She is a regular exhibitor at Outline Editions who showcase and sell her work through exhibitions, art fairs, online and as part of their collection at Liberty on Regent Street.
You can contact Kristjana, get more information, and also buy her work direct, at www.kristjanaswilliams.com
Images: Kristjana S. Williams and Outline Editions
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