Kristjana S Williams

Kristjana S Williams
Green Branch Line (2014)

Giclée print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 300 gsm archival paper
550 mm x 720 mm
Edition of 100.  £185 / original £2,500

Courtesy of the artist

Transport for London proclaimed 2014 ‘The Year of the Bus’ and Icelandic artist Kristjana S Williams designed a striking image to commemorate it.  ‘Green Branch Line’ - based on an original fold-out route map Williams obtained from London Transport Museum’s Depot in Acton - is adorned with an array of imagery from Williams’ enormous library of engravings that she cuts, scans, colours and re-works into a seamless collage. 
  Hailing from a country of just 300,000 people, Williams describes London as “vast and inspiring” and that travelling within the city “evokes a sense of wonder”.  She includes images such as St Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben to highlight the magnificent sights of London, the deer and rats to signify the countryside destination of the Green Line coaches, and - for aesthetic fun - adds surreal touches in the form of the lobster and the sea horse.  Because, well, why not?
  In the last five years, Williams' work has become increasingly high profile with collaborations and commissions from clients that include the Christmas windows and award-winning packaging for Fortnum & Mason; a 5-metre work for the Shard; and limited edition prints and a 2016 Christmas card for the V&A. 
 
For more information, see kristjanaswilliams.com

Hedge, issue 44, December 2016, pp84-90