Kristjana Williams at the Bodleian Libraries – portfolio
Contact the artist
https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
01865 277140
gillian.crockford[at]bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Artist information
Kristjana S Williams is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans hand and laser-cut collage, illustration, animation and digital design. Her artworks draw inspiration from Victorian engravings and the natural world, and involve the physical and digital layering of exotic botanicals and vibrant animals to build fantastical, dream-like worlds.
Described by the New York Times as part of the ‘new antiquarian movement’, Williams’ practise is an ongoing creative journey, and one in which she is not afraid to experiment, constantly evolving to work with original three-dimensional pieces, Limited Edition prints and interior textiles and wallpapers.
Her alluringly immersive two and three dimensional ‘worlds’ have won Williams many international awards including first prize in the New York Festivals Grand Prix, and her recent exhibition as part of the Vatican Apostolic Library’s ‘En Route’ project has recently opened to world wide acclaim. https://enrouteproject.com
Her previous collaborations include the iconic Victoria & Albert Museum and London’s Shard, along with heritage brands such as Fortnum & Mason, Penhaligons and Harrods.
Travel is a re-occurring theme in Williams’ work and The Bodleian is thrilled to present the fruits of our creative collaborative journey together with this new ‘Intrepid Travels’ exhibition.
Williams is quoted as saying: “Travel for me, is both a physical experience and an inner journey. It is an opportunity to discover new perspectives by immersing myself in different cultures and environments. Each journey adds a new dimension to my work, infusing it with the colors, textures, and stories of the places I visit. The spirit of female explorers, who ventured into the unknown with courage, inspires me to live travel as a means of personal and artistic growth.”
SPECIAL EVENT:
‘Kristjana At The Bod’ Private View in the Weston Library, Bodleian Libraries, Thursday 1st May 2025, 6 – 8 pm.
Free, but booking essential.
https://tickets.ox.ac.uk/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=bodnf&c=special…
Exhibition information
At the Bodleian Libraries, we are keen to explore collaborative projects which enhance the Bodleian’s offer to the public and shine a light on amazing artists. We are pleased to announce a thrilling collaboration for 2025 with award winning Icelandic artist, Kristjana S Williams.
The Bodleian Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford and is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. It derives its name from its founder, Sir Thomas Bodley and is affectionally known to Oxford scholars as “the Bodley” or “the Bod”.
For her initial exhibition for ArtWeeks 2025, Kristjana has taken inspiration from a new Bodleian publication ‘Intrepid Women’, by former Curator and Joint Head of Collections at Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum, Julia Nicholson.
In response to ‘Intrepid Women’, Kristjana has produced a bespoke Bodleian edition of her original artwork ‘Tree of Exploration’, to include the six extraordinary women featured in the book who broke through the proverbial glass ceiling to carry out revolutionary field research in distant parts of the world ‘unsuitable for ladies’.
As a woman who grew up in Iceland, a country with a strong tradition of gender equality and female leadership, Kristjana conceived her ‘Tree of Exploration’ to symbolise the spirit of exploration, adventure and discovery that has motivated many women throughout history, and as a reminder of the beauty and diversity of the world and the need to protect and preserve it for the future.
‘Intrepid Travels’ will explore these themes of travel and exploration as a tribute to the female explorers who documented the botanical world before the advent of photography and pursued their passion for nature and adventure, alongside contemporary issues concerning health, wellbeing, culture and norms that affect the self-esteem, aspirations, and choices of women and girls today.