Travellers 01 by Valentina Diena: A unique work of art
Discover Travellers, 01 by Valentina Diena, a hyperrealistic colored-pencil drawing inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Silver Shilling. A Danish coin threaded with red string becomes a symbol of journey, transformation and the search for one’s own value.
The artist: Valentina Diena
Valentina Diena is an Italian artist known for her hyperrealistic colored-pencil drawings on paper. Her artistic research begins with everyday objects that, through exceptional technical skill, are transformed into symbolic images exploring themes of memory, identity, and contemporary material culture.
Description
In Andersen’s tale, a coin travels far from its homeland and, no longer recognized, is considered counterfeit and worthless. Travellers, 01 draws on this story to explore how our surroundings and the judgment of others can shape the way we perceive ourselves.
For the work, Diena chose a real Danish krone kept from a trip to Copenhagen, creating a direct connection between the fairy tale, its place of origin and the artist’s personal experience.
Conclusion
Travellers, 01 transforms a small everyday object into a poetic reflection on journey and identity. Our sense of value may be challenged by the way others see us, without our true worth ever being lost.


