Sublime and surreal updates from Oslo-based illustrator Mari Kanstad Johnsten

Date
11 November 2015

The first time we wrote about the wonderful work of Mari Kanstad Johnsten back in the heady days of 2012 we said that her “illustration is like a party where the dress code is eyeballs.” I’m not entirely sure what we meant, but I like it, and it seems an apt introduction to work that’s as idiosyncratic as it is charming. Mari is based in Oslo, and makes the sort of images that are at once very bizarre and very commercially minded, which has seen her work picked up by institutions including the National Gallery of Norway. We’ve followed her closely over the years and her newest work doesn’t disappoint. Highlights include a board game for the National Gallery, and a raft of beautifully executed editorial illustrations.

Above

Mari Kanstad Johnsten: Illustration

Above

Mari Kanstad Johnsten: Illustration

Above

Mari Kanstad Johnsten: Illustration

Above

Mari Kanstad Johnsten: Illustration

Above

Mari Kanstad Johnsten: Illustration

Above

Mari Kanstad Johnsten: Illustration

Above

Mari Kanstad Johnsten: Illustration

Share Article

About the Author

Emily Gosling

Emily joined It’s Nice That as Online Editor in the summer of 2014 after four years at Design Week. She is particularly interested in graphic design, branding and music. After working It's Nice That as both Online Editor and Deputy Editor, Emily left the company in 2016.

It's Nice That Newsletters

Fancy a bit of It's Nice That in your inbox? Sign up to our newsletters and we'll keep you in the loop with everything good going on in the creative world.