Björk, “Post”

Björk, Post (1995)
One Little Indian Records
Photography: Stéphane Sednaoui
Design: Paul White

Much of the imagery reflected in the artwork for Icelandic singer-songwriter, Björk’s Post artwork, symbolizes the isolation and homesickness she felt while writing and recording the record. After the success of her breakthrough record, Debut in 1993, she moved to England. During this time, she was longing for her friends, relatives, and possessions from home. The colorful, blurred background symbolizes postcards, and a tumbling house of cards that represented her emotional state at the time.

In that sense, the art for Post takes on a literal meaning. Björk is standing still in the center wearing white, with a braid around her neck that represents the color of Royal Mail. The record is a literal postcard to her homeland of Iceland, something she always kept in the back of her head while writing.

The photograph on the cover was taken by her then-boyfriend Stéphane Sednaoui, with the design handled by Paul White and the Me Company. White had frequently collaborated with Björk during her time with the Sugarcubes. The lotus flower in the booklet’s packaging was modeled by Martin Gardiner.

The original cover was photographed by Jean Baptiste-Mondino. The image was scrapped and later appeared in The Face. The £24,000 shoot showed the singer surrounded by silver balls. The cover was rejected because she wanted something “more poppy.” Of the change, she said in The Face interview, “Now I know what I want. OK, I admit it…I’m a pop star.”