The story behind the artwork
Circles meet stripes meet a passion for design in a harmonious pair of 3D world maps, exclusively created for Kristjana’s debut exhibition at Paul Smith’s popping pink store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Side by side they depict a full map of the world, but work equally well as sophisticated pieces in their own right.
Hringlaga Paul Smith II charts Smith’s continuing journey to becoming a renowned fashion designer, which started in the British city of Nottingham. Growing up, the young Paul had dreams of being a cyclist, but a serious bike accident at 17 meant he had to reshape his dreams and he turned his focus to tailoring. This map, with its flitting Pacific fish and exotic red coral, honours his movement into the Eastern fashion market; you will find his diverse shop fronts forminga parade along the bottom of the piece, flanked by the Tokyo Sky Tree tower. The majestic flying bicycles reflect his interest in cycling and world travel and oceans are tinted with stripes in radiant, sunny shades, homage to his love of colour, stripes and classic lines.
The essential Britishness of the Paul Smith brand has assured its enduring success. Kristjana sends dignified 3D horse-drawn carriages and a British bulldog driving a Victorian car on a world tour of the map. The ‘Silly Bunny’ sits astride a bike on a nest of pink roses, wearing a traditional Royal Mail cap. Besides being a quirky British phrase, Paul has an inordinate collection of toy rabbits, sent to him for good luck by fans, which he keeps in the basement of his London Office in a space he refers to as his ‘Department of Silly’.
Both Kristjana and Paul have collectors’ eyes, and therefore the piece is richly embellished with curiosities, flowers, jewels and creatures turned out in beautifully tailored clothing. Arctic terns, with the longest migration of any animal, fly high overhead to winter in the Antarctic; their spanning of the globe is testament to the global reach of the Paul Smith brand.
Artwork Details
Bespoke Hand and laser cut paper collage. Digitally designed, hand sculpted paper elements are painstakingly pinned in place onto a thick foam board, creating a stunning three dimensional effect. Utterly unique in its composition and to its owner, an original artwork is one of its kind and cannot be replicated. Your piece will be the only piece like it, anywhere in the world.
- Framed dimensions (approximately): 105 cm x 105 cm x 12 cm
- Bespoke wooden box frame, painted with a smooth coat of matt paint.
- Giclée printed on Matt Smooth Fine Art Cotton 300gsm.
- Signed by the artist.
- Comes with a physical ‘Certificate of Authenticity’.
Delivery & Returns
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Original Artwork is delivered within 7 - 10 working days to allow for packaging and delivery.
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