FAITH XLVII : what art and cognac making have in common

An organic palette fuses deep, earthy, russet hues with warm, gold and peachy sunset tones, evoking a mystical mandala. In the artwork “A Blending of Elements” by FAITH XLVII — a special commission for the 10th anniversary of the Hennessy Very Special Limited Edition cognac — an intricate layering of textures and symbols conveys a time-honored aura, conjuring the seasons, the Earth’s wisdom and the cycles of Nature. Time and the Sun are the work’s central themes, orbited by moons, clouds, rain and grapevines which are edged in precious gold leaf. It is a powerful tribute to centuries of savoir-faire in cognac making and the luxury of time required for crafting Hennessy blends, a poetically slow process that depends on the cycles of nature and phases of the Moon. “As in cognac making, the process of artistic creation is long, and each small action, each individual element, stays invisible up until the final reveal — whether it’s a painting or a bottle of Hennessy Very Special,” notes the artist.

“Distilling and assembling eaux-de-vie is like my process," she continues. "it’s about taking basic elements and transforming them into something extraordinary.” In this photo gallery and video, the multidisciplinary artist demonstrates the artistic process: starting with a preliminary sketch, she gradually folds in each element, drawing on a variety of painting and calligraphy techniques. The Moon and clouds take shape, gradually warmed by a golden sun, and are finished with gold leaf and vine motifs. A layering effect lends the work depth and perspective, amplifying its energy. As a finishing touch, the artist incorporated graphic lettering inspired by chalk inscriptions on the age-old barrels stored in the Founder’s Cellar at the Hennessy seat in Cognac. Meticulously handwritten, they nod to the artist’s roots in graphic design — and to the time-honored heritage of the Hennessy Very Special cognac.