Icelandic born artist Kristjana S Williams studied graphic design and illustration at Central St Martins and quickly gained critical acclaim as Creative Director of Beyond the Valley for 8 years.
In 2012, Kristjana S Williams Studio began creating fine art pieces, art prints and furniture.
The studio’s latest project presented a one of a kind collaborative audio-scape print journey at the spectacular Shanghai Exhibition Centre. Flying spirits were draped in beautiful traditional Chinese silk robes printed with Kristjana’s signature intricate artworks, the masks are incredibly delicate hand paper-cut sculptures which crown each creature. The intrigued masked spirits followed the audience intertwining around the bamboo forest with mystical allure. Amongst the atmospheric surroundings, the creatures enticed visitors into listening to their unique, individual sounds through suspended Momentum headphones by German audio company, Sennheiser.
Previously in 2011 Kristjana S Williams and Beyond the Valley presented an interactive print journey at the V&A during London Design Festival, a show inspired by an interest in the way new technologies can be used in interiors and fashion design.The illustrations juxtapose strong graphic lines with intricate Victorian engravings creating incredibly striking and unique art work. Comprising of very intricate collages of material that have been collected from Victorian engravings, photographs taken, found objects and real leafs and twigs.
Inspiration lies heavily with layering nature upon nature and ‘the symmetry in all things living’ which stems from the artists childhood in Iceland. When growing up the artist found nature there stark and unforgiving. Never seeing trees or colourful butterflies or exotic flowers – everything seemed grey. Now in retrospect, feels the complete opposite as though the colours and landscape are like nowhere else in the world. Each piece created by the artist is it’s own universe of botanicals, atmosphere and animals, each born and grown from the things that have inspired her since being a child in Iceland.
Williams’ work has become well known throughout the industry, 2013 saw the studio Highly Commended for ‘Best Use of Colour’ at the Dulux Colour Awards. In 2014 Kristjana has already won a D&AD award, a New York Festivals Grand Prix & First Prize and lastly shortlisted for the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.
"Sometimes you see something so absolutely the opposite of your usual style that it stops you in your tracks and makes you smile. And perhaps even make you question what you thought you liked.
I am a minimalist and a modernist, I like calm; I like grey. I like simplicity; I like the understated; I like quiet clean lines and white space. But then along came Kristjana S Williams"