Of Fire And Ice

In the rugged and dramatic landscape of Iceland, Renée Batchelor meets Vacheron Constantin's new face, the artist Zaria Forman, as she immortalises the ephemeral beauty of glacier ice in her captivating art

- Renée Batchelor

I am out of my comfort zone 11,000km away from home, on the southern coast of Iceland. Several hours drive from the capital of Reykjavik, the landscapes I see rolling by could not be more alien to me. From lava fields possessing a strange, otherworldly beauty to green hills dotted with frolicking lambs to breathtaking waterfalls, Iceland, it seems, has scenery for every adventure seeker. Set against the raw beauty of active volcanoes looming large over the landscape and glaciers that can calve at a moment's notice, it is not difficult to be awestruck by the pure power of Mother Nature. I'm here in the name of finding out what makes an artist (and watch brand) tick at the invitation of the luxury Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin. The 268-year-old brand had several ambitious launches up its sleeve in Iceland. Firstly, the announcement of American artist and adventurer Zaria Forman as the newest face in its "One of Not Many" campaign. It also marks the start of Forman's exhibition "Fellsfjara, Iceland," held in the Harpa Center in Reykjavik. On display is her artwork that was borne from her previous travels to Iceland starting in 2021. They include the incredibly detailed, almost photorealistic pastel and charcoal drawings that she is known for, as well as newer mediums such as sculpture.