Mila Furstova's journey from Coldplay

The Czech artist creates a new series of works on motherhood

'Motherhood 1' by Mila Furstova

The artist Mila Furstova is best known for creating the album artwork for Coldplay’s Ghost Stories, which features angel’s wings. The Czech artist, who lives and works in Cheltenham, and who works in etching, also did the artwork for four of Coldplay’s singles from the album – including a dove on the sleeve of “Magic” as well as a heart for the “True Love” artwork.

At the time of this commission, she was on maternity leave, with a six-month-year old baby, and then suddenly became pregnant again with her second child, going into labour as she was putting the final touches to the 18-month collaboration with Coldplay.

“I was having a pause from work, just being a mother, when the biggest commission of my life came along,” she says. “I loved working with Coldplay because they really appreciated me as an artist.”

So it is only natural that her brand-new work, following the Coldplay project, is titled Motherhood, and will be exhibited in London next year.

It explores issues of being a mum and children. Motherhood I deals with a woman making the transition to parenthood as she is seen travelling on a boat towards a gate of motherhood. While Motherhood II shows a mother and daughter brushing hair, which extends out of the window, to symbolise “a scene that repeats itself through the genarations”. Motherhood III shows a woman hanging up some angel wings in front of her two children who sit at a table. “The angel wings symbolise the love you have to give to children,” she says.

Her work can be found in the art collections of Queen Elizabeth II and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

“Etching is an ancient technique. It is over 400 years old and has an almost an alchemical feel to it. In the context of contemporary art it is not the obvious choice,” she says.

Mila Furstova’s ‘Motherhood’ series will be exhibited in London next year (www.agallery.co.uk; www.furstova.com)