Hennessy has collaborated with interdisciplinary artist Faith XLVII to explore the alchemy of the artistic process for the 2020 Hennessy Very Special Limited Edition. The 10th annual limited edition Cognac from the iconic French brandy house opens a new chapter in the Maison’s tradition of fostering partnerships with artists as this is the first time it has paired with a female voice. Previous talents to contribute to the annual project include Felipe Pantone, Vhils, JonOne, Shepard Fairey, Os Gemeos, Futura, and Kaws.
Faith XLVII describes the artistic journey as “a form of alchemy,” which seems to pair perfectly with Hennessy’s process. Collaborating with Hennessy “dovetails perfectly with things I am always thinking about: the cycles of nature, the phases of the moon, the seasons and circle-like cyclical time- and just how all of these things make us alive,” noted Faith XLVII in a press release.
“In my work, I take the time to seek out form and be considerate of raw materials. There’s a kind of organic alchemy to the process, which is also true of the way Hennessy works. In a way we are both taking basic substances and creating something new,” said the South African-born, Los Angeles-based artist. “My process is similar to the Master Blender’s selection of eaux-de-vie, in that you take basic elements and use them over time to craft something extraordinary.”
For the 2020 Hennessy Very Special Limited Edition, Faith XLVII created a work of art representing Hennessy through the elements, earth, and the cycles of nature. With the sun and time as central elements, intricate detail pays tribute to nature via references to the moon, rain, clouds, and grapevines accentuated in gold leaf.
A palette inspired by natural colors combines gold elements with peachy, sunset tones juxtaposed against graphic lettering that pays tribute to the chalk inscriptions on age-old barrels stored in the Founder’s Cellar in Cognac.