3rd January 2018
Found in the lobby at The Athenaeum adjacent to our concierge, London Layered Collage is a bespoke piece of art that incorporates various London landmarks which hold special meaning to our hotel. The circular artwork has the River Thames distinctly running across it, while layers of materials build the city up into an intricate collage. Heavily inspired by nature, artist Kristjana S Williams captures the essence of The Athenaeum’s location next to Green Park and a captivating impression of all walks of life living side by side in our vibrant city.
Kristjana S Williams herself embodies many of the characteristics of our fellow Londoners that we adore. Born in Iceland, Williams brings her experiences of elsewhere in the world to one of the truly global cities on earth. She studied graphic design and illustration at Central St Martins – one of the most famous art schools in the world – which boasts alumni including Turner Prize winner Laure Prouvost and fashion designers Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton and Stella McCartney.
After her studies, Williams quickly received critical acclaim as the Creative Director of Beyond the Valley – a fashion label she launched with other Central St Martin graduates. After several years, she launched Kristjana S Williams Studio, through which she produces fine art pieces, art prints and furniture. She’s gone on to win several notable awards, including a D&ED award, a New York Festivals Grand Prix and First Prize, and she was shortlisted at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.
The work of Kristjana S Williams can also be enjoyed elsewhere in London. In The Shard – the tallest building in Europe next to London Bridge – a giant 21st century tapestry printed onto glass by the artist can be viewed. She has also been commissioned by Penhaligon’s – a company with a rich heritage almost 150 years old – to design packaging and other materials for The Portraits Collection of fragrances. There are a handful of Penhaligon’s shops in central London, including one in the much-loved Burlington Arcade, just up the road from us off Piccadilly. Williams also wrote and illustrated a children’s book called The Wonder Garden, which can be found in major London bookshops, including Waterstones Piccadilly.
We’re proud that Kristjana S Williams was inspired by The Athenaeum and our amazing location to produce an original piece of work for our lobby. It captures many of the things we love about our city, and every time we walk past, we spot something new in the artwork. A city of many layers, London Layered Artwork is all about diversity, people and nature. If you ask us, it’s the perfect welcome to The Athenaeum.
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