There are patterned fabrics, and then there are patterned fabrics. And then there are the designs of Kristjana S Williams. The Icelander’s vivacious imagery brings together antique cartography, imagined landscapes of exotic flora and fauna that could be from the illustrated pages of a classic fantasy novel, and the Victorian love of engravings documenting the natural world. These elements are spliced together using a mix-and-match collage method stemming from her childhood in the stark environment of Iceland, where she would long to experience vivid colours and unusual wildlife.
This year could prove to be a watershed for Williams, with first place in the New York Festivals Grand Prix in the bag and nominations for three other prestigious commercial awards. Her studio is launching a new range of pieces at Design Junction, running at London Design Festival from 17 to 21 September. The products include soft furnishings, furniture, wall coverings and homeware, as well as additions to Williams’ fine art collection. Over in Knightsbridge, at London’s oldest specialist antiquarian map dealer The Map House, Williams’ fantastically detailed illustrations are part of the Art Cartography exhibition from 18 to 21 September.
@KSWstudio
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