Symbolising the spirit of exploration, adventure and discovery that has motivated many women throughout history | The Tree of Exploration

THE STORY BEHIND THE ARTWORKA stunning new tree artwork, first inspired by an article Kristjana read in National Geographic - growing up, her Icelandic Grandfather had a stack of these fascinating journals and a young Kristjana would spend hours pouring over the contents. This artwork is a tribute to the female explorers who documented the botanical world before the advent of photography. At a time when men did most of the travelling and exploration, these women defied the norms and expectations of their age and pursued their passion for nature and adventure.

A few years ago, Kristjana researched two of these remarkable women, Isabella Bird and Marianne North, who faced immense challenges and dangers in exploring and illustrating the flora of different continents. As a woman who grew up in Iceland, a country with a strong tradition of gender equality and female leadership, Kristjana wanted to honour these women and their legacy.

This tree symbolises the spirit of exploration, adventure and discovery that has motivated many women throughout history, and reminds us of the beauty and diversity of the world and the need to protect and preserve it for the future. Within its boughs, discover the badges of honour that celebrate some of the most visionary female adventurers who have left their indelible mark on the world.