Victoria & Albert Museum

Kristjana has been working with this iconic, world famous institution of art and design since 2011, having first been invited in her days as ‘Beyond the Valley’ to be resident artist during the London Design Festival.  Since then, her collaborations with the V&A have spanned the worlds of history, fashion and music.  Read on to find out more. 

2020/21: Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser Exhibition

Curious Alice invites audiences to tumble down the rabbit hole and embark on a mind-bending trip into Wonderland through the playful dimension of virtual reality...  In her most recent collaboration, the V&A asked Kristjana to create some original artwork to complement this fully immersive, interactive re-imagining of Wonderland, celebrating one of the most iconic and inspiring stories of all time and the subject of the V&A's major 2021 exhibition Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser. 

The book: 'Alice, Curiouser and Curiouser' 

To accompany the exhibition, The V&A commissioned Kristjana to create a book, telling the story of Alice through enchanting and fantastical illustrations. 

'Alice, Curiouser and Curiouser' explores the global impact of Alice in Wonderland across art, design and performance from the nineteenth century to today. It also illustrates how Alice has been re-imagined and re-interpreted by each new generation; from the original illustrations by John Tenniel, to artwork by Peter Blake and Salvador Dali, and from the 1951 Disney movie to Tim Burton's latest interpretation.

As well as Kristjana's specially commissioned interactive illustrations, this beautiful publication also includes quotes from an array of cultural creators including Stephen Fry, Tim Walker, Ralph Steadman and Little Simz about the profound influence of Alice on their work.  The book and many other products are available to buy from the V&A Shop. 

The Curious Alice VR experience

The V&A will host an immersive virtual reality event, providing a sneak preview of the exhibition, and launch the Curious Alice VR experience.  Embracing the dreamlike qualities of the classic novel, the setting will transform and adapt throughout the event, including live visual effects. 

2018: Frida Kahlo: Making Herself Up

Kristjana designed two pieces exclusively for this extraordinary exhibition, celebrating the life of the iconic Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo.  On display was a collection of personal artefacts and clothing belonging to Kahlo, which Kristjana used as her inspiration to create the artworks.

The Limited Edition Frida Kahlo portrait print: Mexican Sky Portrait 

The Diorama: The Blue House.   

This 3D Original Artwork depicted real and imagined scenes within Frida’s home.  Multiple layers are built from hand cut and sculpted paper elements to give an exceptional sense of depth, clarity and colour.  A Limited Edition print, with a run of just 25 copies sold out before the end of the exhibition. 

2017: Opera: Passion, Power and Politics

In a landmark collaboration between the V&A and Royal Opera House, Kristjana delved into the historical world of music to explore the intriguing story of opera from its origins in late-Renaissance Italy to the present day. 

Kristjana’s Opera Mask, with its ‘do it yourself’  element, allowed the user to finish decorating the mask themselves, much as one has a personal reaction to opera itself.  The Palais Garnier Callas Opera Journey Diorama, was exclusively sold in the V&A Shop and sold out, but the Limited Edition print of the design is available to purchase here: The Palais Garnier Callas Opera Journey - Art print

2017:The Life and Work of Henry Cole 

An exhibition celebrating the life of the V&A’s founding director, the remarkable Henry Cole, led Kristjana to create an original diorama depicting the Great Exhibition 1851.  

2015: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

In the first, and largest, retrospective of McQueen’s work to be presented in Europe, the V&A asked Kristjana to create a unique 3D Original Artwork to celebrate the extraordinary creative talent of one of the world’s most innovative designers, and to pay homage to London’s iconic fashion scene.