Olaf Hajek

Olaf Hajek is much in demand as an illustrator and artist. His client list reads like a who's who of famous brands - including Apple, The New Yorker, The New York Times, Nike, Coca-Cola and Daimler Chrysler.

Of German origin, Olaf works in Berlin but also in New York. He has won numerous awards and medals for his work and has exhibited in Berlin, Paris, Buenos Aires and Zurich.

For lavie & belle, he has created a highly eclectic artwork depicting a variety of creatures, plants and fruit, all of them springing from entwined roots to symbolise the glorious flowering of new ideas and fantastical creations that can happen when two different people come together in friendship.

"As a painter, texture and colour are very important for me," says Olaf. "My style is a mixture of realism and sophisticated naivety. I am very much influenced by African art, Indian miniatures and folk art, as well as contemporary art. I like to combine details from all of them in my work to create my own interpretation of the world - just as friendships influence and shape us in ways we might not have imagined."

'No title' by Olaf Hajek
lavie & belle friendship collection 2009/2010