Hennessy Artistry in Nigeria Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Limited Edition by Osa Seven

by NEWS

October 23, 2019

in Art, Culture & Travel, Luxury

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On October 25, 2019, Hennessy will unveil a limited edition of its Hennessy Very Special cognac, featuring a design conceptualised and developed by Nigerian urban artist Osa Okunkpolar, also known as Osa Seven.

This unveiling marks the 10^th anniversary of Hennessy Artistry in Nigeria. It is a decade of collaborations with emerging music and art talents from Nigeria’s evolving urban-culture scene. A trailblazing initiative rooted in culture and heritage, the Hennessy Artistry’s global concept centres on music events combined with a bold sound, visual innovation and taste experiences that celebrate Hennessy’s art of blending with local flavour.

Highly acclaimed not only for his work on canvas, but also for his non-conventional designs on walls, cars, shoes and posters, Osa Seven has always made his personal culture a signature of his artwork, from his earliest illustrations to the graffiti monumental urban art that earned him recognition. A pioneer in multi-disciplinary collaborations, notably between visual art, music and dance, he is committed to setting an example on a community level and affecting positive change through self-expression.

Osa Seven

“Today I am focusing on opening doors. Creating opportunity seems like the right thing to do. When I was younger, lots of people just didn’t believe that a graffiti artist could amount to anything. You have to put in a lot of work and believe in yourself. It takes consistence and persistence. We paint words that will inspire children, like joy, happiness, collaboration, and peace — words that will take hold in their subconscious.” Osa Seven explains.

A celebration of Nigeria’s rich diversity, this limited edition of Hennessy Very Special cognac combines the artist’s vibrant personal aesthetic with the cultural values he and Hennessy share: a love of heritage, local craftsmanship and various forms of contemporary art.

“Hennessy is the brand leader of cognac, and that is what I try to be with my art,” Osa Seven observes. “It’s easy for me to vibe with the House, because it’s always pushed me to express myself differently.”

: Osa Seven at Hennessy Distillery

Inspired by the people he meets, the places he travels, new sights, sounds and tastes — Osa Seven strives to engage his public on many different levels. Collaborating with Hennessy, he notes, will help him to elevate a message of community. “That an international brand like Hennessy would participate in a project with an artist from Festac is inspirational — it will make people believe in themselves, and want to give more energy to their career or their craft. It’s a big win for artists of all kinds.”

Speaking on the collaboration with Osa Seven, Oluwole Awoleke, brand manager, Hennessey and Spirits said: “I think it is of national and global importance. This is the first time Hennessey is collaborating with a Nigerian designer to create an iconic piece of art, on what is arguably the most important brand asset that Hennessy possesses –its bottle. It is an opportunity for our teeming consumers all over the country, to be able to interact with the brand in a different way, and to be able to grab a piece of history.”

Osa Seven and Oluwole Awoleke

With vibrant colours, the artist expresses his perception of Nigerian culture and community. The bottle design is a graffiti style influenced by pop art, blended with Nigerian iconography drawn from the artist’s Edo heritage. Also included in the design, are oblique shapes and patterns, comprising of elements from Hennessy’s heritage, including its logo and the broad axe.

The unrivalled leader of cognac, the Maison Hennessy has shone around the world with its exceptional blends for more than 250 years. Built on founder Richard Hennessy’s spirit of conquest, the brand is present in more than 130 countries.

Based in the heart of the Charente region, Hennessy is also a steadfast pillar of the regional economy, and the standard-bearer for a sector rich in expertise. The House’s success and longevity are rooted in the excellence of its cognacs, each of born of a unique process of transmission from generation to generation.

Hennessy Artistry is a unique integrated global platform that brings the “art of blending” to life by creating exceptional consumer moments through a celebration of talent and a fusion of music, art, and culture.