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’.

olaf hajek: flowerheads 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.

olaf hajek: flowerheads 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’.

olaf hajek: flowerheads illustration by olaf hajek

olaf hajek: flowerheads illustration by olaf hajek

olaf hajek: flowerheads illustration by olaf hajek

olaf hajek: flowerheads illustration by olaf hajek

olaf hajek: flowerheads illustration by olaf hajek

olaf hajek: flowerheads illustration by olaf hajek

olaf hajek: flowerheads illustration by olaf hajek

olaf hajek: flowerheads

‘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.