Revealed as part of the BOMBAY BRAMBLE Ripe for Discovery campaign, three up and coming artists have been commissioned in partnership with art-lover and actor Russell Tovey to create distinctive, limited-edition artwork labels. The three selected creators are Alfie Kungu, Charlotte McDonald and Rose Electra Harris.
These innovative artists were selected in partnership with award-winning actor Russell Tovey, a long-term supporter of the arts and co-host of art-focused podcast, TalkART.
“It’s a pleasure to be given the chance to showcase these three incredible artists at this exciting stage of their careers, and to see their creativity coming to life on these beautiful bottles, which will now live on people’s drinks cabinets as pieces of art. Working on this project with BOMBAY BRAMBLE and having the privilege of discovering and curating this host of budding artists embodies what I love about creativity – its power to connect – one artist’s creation can go on to inspire creativity in future generations.Do you feel Ripe for Discovery?
Russell Tovey commented
Do you feel Ripe for Discovery?
In terms of being an emerging artist, I would say yes! The ‘Ripe for Discovery’ project with Bombay has been the perfect way to showcase my artwork and work with other amazing creatives.
How has lockdown affected your art practice?
It has definitely taught me to slow down and to reflect more so on my practice. With more time on my hands, I have experimented with materials and ideas that perhaps I would not have had time for in pre-covid times. It’s also been really nice to spend more time with friends and family and all the things that really matter, which always makes me feel more content and inspired when I’m creating art.
Has this help from Bombay Sapphire come at a good time?
It really has and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. With all the restrictions that lockdown has brought of late, this project was the perfect thing to throw myself into and I have really enjoyed finding out more about the brand and the process of how this iconic gin is made.
When you were creating your artwork did you think how it might look on a label?
Absolutely, I really wanted my label to stand out and contrast against the deep reddy pink of the gin. To achieve this, I experimented with colours and bold shapes to make the label come alive and bounce forward from the surface of the bottle.
What’s your favourite Bombay Bramble cocktail?
It has to be the Clover Club, it’s super creamy and the flavour is delicious.
Do you have any plans for 2021?
Painting, painting and more painting – and I hope to keep sharing my works with more people. I also have some exciting collaborations and commissions on the horizon which I’m excited about.
How can people find out more about your art practice?
They can head to my website or Instagram page where all my works are listed.
Available exclusively on Selfridges.com, shoppers are able to select their
preferred work of art and personalise the bottle label with their own name, or the name of a loved one with eye-catching gold foiled lettering. Shoppers will receive their personalised artistic purchases in limited-edition tote bags that feature a larger-scale version of the artworks.
As part of the project a donation has been made to The Artists’ Benevolent Fund – a charity organisation that directly supports graduate artists to help give them the tools they need. At a time where the arts are under enormous pressure, an upfront donation of £10,000, has been donated plus a further 6% of the sales on the first 3,000 limited edition bottles sold via Selfridges.
