hapney studio
Mother Metropolis
Created for Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin.
Acrylic on canvas 150 x 100 cm / 58.8 x 39.2 in
Giorraíonn beirt bother.
A companion shortens a road.
Irish proverb
In preparation for Miami Art Week 2022, I set out to capture the spirit of one of our collaborators, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin, on canvas. My muse? None other than the place of its origin and the unique botanicals that define its character.
The wild and rugged Sliabh an Iarainn or ‘Mountain of Iron’ stands northeast of Drumshanbo, whose gentle incline mirrors that of The Shed Distillery’s logo. Coupling this gradient with the elegant, brilliant blue of Gunpowder Gin’s iconic bottle allows this painting’s palette of striking, hard-edged colours to split its eclectic botanical mix into two distinctive parts.
The natural hues of the Emerald Isle are the perfect embodiment of Gunpowder Gin’s spicy and earthy undertones, while the bright, neon tones of Miami reflect its bright aromatics.
Every colour in this painting encourages you to decipher its meaning, providing a peek into the intricate blend of Gunpowder Gin's botanicals and the connection between the Emerald Isle and the spirit of Miami.