One of the most incredible aspects of the game ‘Bioshock’ is its amazing art deco aesthetic…

With this illustration I wanted to capture that combination of beautiful, classic art deco architecture and the gloomy, terrifying depths of the ocean.

Art deco architecture has many mythological influences, most commonly that of Ancient Egypt. But in Bioshock, the art deco motifs feature a Greek mythological figure: that of the titan Atlas.

In the city of Rapture - built by the ruthless Andrew Ryan - Atlas symbolically holds the ocean above: one of the many references to Ayn Rand’s 1957 novel ‘Atlas Shrugged’. Atlas in Bioshock represents Ryan’s belief in the myth of utopia, and also the exploited working class who strived to protect the city from the pressure of the water above. In the end Rapture succumbs to both the pressure of the ocean and the collapse of society.

Watch an animation and the timelapse of this here.

Size & Info

Available in recycled art paper (A3) and premium silk (A2).

Prints are unframed.

• 100% recycled 250 gsm paper
• Uncoated stock made from 100% genuine de-inked post consumer waste
• Eco-friendly UK printing
• Chlorine free
• Carbon offset and FSC® Certified.

• 210 gsm paper
• Uncoated satin stock

• All prints come with hand signed note
• Recycled paper prints are packaged in either biodegradable or fully recyclable film
• A3 Prints are shipped in hard-backed envelopes
• A2 Prints are rolled and shipped in tubes.