Fee Greening’s illustrations are inspired by Medieval, Gothic, and Flemish art, a nod to a simpler time, with the added layer of symbolism and folklore. “I’m always drawn to things that have a certain mysticism and magic to them,” admitted Greening in an interview with Gucci for i-D.
Common themes found in her work are hands and flowers – the latter providing fertile ground for symbolic interpretation. “There’s a narrative to it when I put a certain flower in a certain drawing,” says Greening. “They’re such a metaphor for our lives and life cycle.” These symbols can also be found in medieval and renaissance iconography.
Having graduated from Central St. Martin’s in 2012 and received a Masters from the Royal College of Art in 2014, Greening specializes in dip pen and ink. With her illustrations quickly gaining momentum, she has amassed quite a following online, on top of commercial collaborations with brands like Gucci, Alexa Chung, and Martini, as well as establishments like The Royal Court Theatre and Tate.
“I’m romantic, always looking for an escape,” says Greening, adding that her best ideas come from walking. “There’s such nostalgia… Childhood memories of just playing outside and with petals and running around,” she says. Incidentally, her illustrations provide a virtual escape of sorts.
