Bombay Sapphire sponsors the opening of two sought after SA artists
Launch of State, the new Lionel Smit exhibition, and Truth Sleuth by Liberty Battson at Everard Read and Circa Galleries supported by the world famous gin
The art crowd came out in force for the opening of two new exhibitions at Johannesburg’s Everard Read and Circa galleries, sponsored by Bombay Sapphire.
The world famous gin, distinctively blended with ten botanicals, supported the events held at the adjoining Rosebank galleries in the Keyes Art Mile which marked the launch of State, the new Lionel Smit exhibition, and Truth Sleuth by Liberty Battson on Thursday last week.
Guests, including artists Blessing Ngobeni, actor Armand Aucamp and media personality Zanele Kumalo, savoured artisanal Bombay Sapphire cocktails as they supported the works of these two sought after South African artists.
The events saw the reveal of a sculptural new Bombay Sapphire bar, designed by Battson, which was specially erected at the entrance to Circa on the evening.
Spanning seven panels, painted in 2K automotive paint to create a smooth and glossy surface, Battson used the signature blue of the Bombay Sapphire brand as a central focus of the bar.
“I wanted the shiny blue surface of the work to stir emotions in my viewers, so that their experience of being at the bar would be influenced by the colours of the painting. Blue evokes a sense of calm and has the ability to sooth and relax the viewer. It opens up channels of communication and enhances intuitional ability, providing a feeling of coolness and peace” explains Battson.
Like her works on display as part of Truth Sleuth, the sculptural piece reflects Battson’s distinctive approach to art in which she composes her paintings using data to track current trends.
The artist tracked the development and growth of the brand over the past seven years, with each of the panels representing a year in the period – illustrated through strips of matte paint on the glossy blue panels.
Each stripe represents the sale of one million 9 litre cases, each case containing 12, 750ml bottles of Bombay Sapphire gin.
The panels contrast the full-bodied concrete tops and sides of the bar, creating a sensory experience while ten rows of glasses displayed above represent the ten botanicals which are the core ingredients of Bombay Sapphire gin.
