Kristjana Williams

Fantastical worlds bridging history, nature, and imagination.

Her practice, described by The New York Times as part of the ‘new antiquarian movement,’ has earned Williams international acclaim and numerous awards including the Pentawards, the Clio Award, D&AD In Book, and first prize at the New York Festivals Grand Prix. Her imaginative universes have been commissioned by heritage brands such as Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Penhaligon’s and Browns Hotel, as well as by leading institutions including the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Vatican Library, and London’s Shard.

A restless innovator, Williams is unafraid to explore new formats. From the iconic cover art for Coldplay’s A Head Full of Dreams, to her most recent series of works for the Vatican Library’s 2025 Jubilee exhibition, her oeuvre continually expands the possibilities of collage. Each piece is meticulously researched, its historical references woven with the artist’s trademark flora and fauna into surreal narratives that are at once ornate, operatic, and deeply contemporary.

Born in Reykjavík in 1974 and educated at Central Saint Martins, Williams now divides her time between London and Folkestone. Her work is held in private and corporate collections worldwide, with admirers ranging from global institutions to celebrated musicians and fashion houses. Whether monumental map works, jewel-like dioramas, or intricate collages, her creations offer viewers a transformative journey through layered histories, imagination, and the wonders of the natural world.