A Tribute to Intrepid Women: Limited Edition for the Bodleian Libraries

This extraordinary tree artwork was first sparked by an article Kristjana encountered in National Geographic, a magazine her Icelandic grandfather kept in tall, treasured stacks. As a child, Kristjana would spend countless hours exploring its pages, drawn into far-off lands and the lives of those who dared to chart the unknown.

Created exclusively as a limited edition for the prestigious Bodleian Libraries, this piece pays homage to a lineage of remarkable women who shaped our understanding of the world through their fearless exploration and groundbreaking work in anthropology and ethnography.

At its heart, the artwork celebrates the trailblazing female explorers who travelled far beyond the familiar to document the botanical and cultural richness of the planet, long before photography was widespread. Among them are Isabella Bird and Marianne North, bold women whose journeys and illustrated records defied the norms of their time. But nestled within its intricate branches, you will also discover tributes to extraordinary women from Kristjana’s native Iceland, a country known for its heritage of gender equality and strong female leadership.

This tree also honours the intrepid women who lend their names and legacy to the Oxford Bodleian’s current exhibition, pioneering anthropologists and ethnographers whose work opened new windows into the human experience, illuminating the customs, stories, and beauty of cultures across the globe.

Each element of the tree is a badge of honour, a quiet but powerful celebration of women who ventured into the unknown, documenting the richness of both nature and humanity. Their legacy continues to inspire, reminding us of the deep interconnectedness of our world and the urgent need to preserve it.

Artwork details

Printed in the KSW studio in London on Matt Smooth Fine Art Cotton 300 gsm, using giclée inks to ensure you are able to enjoy your print for years to come. All prints come with a physical Certificate of Authenticity.

Print size:
A2

KSW prints are professionally cut by hand in studio, therefore sizes can vary by mm.

All Limited Edition prints come unframed.