Two of Ireland’s most prominent artists, Maser and Conor Harrington, have worked together to reimagine the iconic Hennessy VS bottle to celebrate the 300th birthday of the brand’s Irish founder.

Conor Harrington and Maser are two of our favourite Irish artists. Encapsulating the Irish zeitgeist through an abstract lens, the two have grown a cult following for their idiosyncratic methods of artistry. Both artists immersed themselves in the region of Cognac, France, echoing the Irish heritage from the forefather of the iconic beverage.

Maser

The first thing that hits you about Maser’s art is the vivid colour scale utilised. Whether plastered on the side of a London tube or in an upmarket art gallery, the vibrancy of his work cannot be ignored. Somewhat hectic in nature, an interspersing of stripes mixed with a chaotic presence of brushstrokes makes for a more than eye-catching aesthetic.

“There are so many parallels to this real time project and the historic story of Richard Hennessy. We travelled to Cognac, the same trip as Richard and when staying in the Château, got to live in his time for that brief moment. The opportunity to experience those surroundings did not pass me by.“

Conor Harrington

A mishmash of gradients. Dull colour into dynamism, obscuration into vividness. Known for his political and historical undertones to his work, there’s nobody better to encapsulate the feeling of the 18th century. Recently with exhibitions in Paris and New York, his work sits as large-scale murals across the globe.

“I portrayed Richard striding forward confidently into his new terrain while at the same time glancing around and over his shoulder, always with an eye on his roots and where he has come from. I used Ireland as the main inspiration for the colour palette in his portrait, with the green of his coat and the yellow and gold in the background reminiscent of the Irish tricolour, a palette we are known for the world over.“

The unique 300^th Anniversary Founder’s limited edition bottle of Hennessy VS will be available exclusively in SuperValu stores across the country from 30 September to 16 October, with it being available in all other retailers thereafter.