olaf hajek: flowerheads

illustration by olaf hajek


on may 28th, 2010 illustrative opens direktorenhaus in berlin.

traditional crafts will be combined with analogue techniques and digital media, and will
not be limited to their own aesthetics but also be seen as experimental formations with both
social and asocial connotations. initiated by the founders of illustrative, pascal johanssen
and katja kleiss, the direktorenhouse displays unique works, prototypes and limited editions
of many artistic disciplines. the first of four theme oriented exhibitions is devoted to german
illustrator olaf hajek. hajek combines reality, mythology, fantasy and dream in the tradition
of 'magic realism'.



illustration by olaf hajek


with the exhibition 'flowerhead' hajek presents his new versions of natureman, flowerhead
and forest themes in which the artist’s use of mezzotint techniques are combined with
references to south american folk culture, mythology, religion, history and geography.



illustration by olaf hajek


olaf hajek was born in rendsburg, germany. he took a degree in graphic design at the
fachhochschule in düsseldorf in 1993. he lives and works in berlin. his list of clients
include the new yorker, rolling stone, apple, united airlines, macy's, daimler chrysler,
volkswagen, playboy, architectural digest, taschen, flaunt, qvest and many more.
despite the diversity of his clientele, hajek has upheld his characteristic style of 'magic realism'.



illustration by olaf hajek



illustration by olaf hajek



illustration by olaf hajek



illustration by olaf hajek



illustration by olaf hajek



illustration by olaf hajek



illustration by olaf hajek





'flowerhead'  by olaf hajek
release date: january 2010  published by gestalten verlag, berlin
price: 39,90 euro /  60,00 USD / 37,50 pounds
format: 24 × 30 cm
features: 144 pages, full color, hardcover   
ISBN: 978-3-89955-281-2


'flowerhead' is olaf hajek’s first monograph. it presents an extensive collection of his
commercial work as well as personal art that he created exclusively for the book.

for information on his work and process, watch this video here.