Last night I had the honour of attending the VIP launch of British artist Alan Walsh’s ‘The Love of Gin: Tales Old and New’, an art and gin exhibition showcased at The Barber Shop bar on York Street.
The Barber Shop is a speakeasy cocktail bar situated behind, you guessed it… a barber shop. Although located right in the midst of Sydney’s CBD, the old-world decor, dim lighting and rustic furnishing of the bar contributed to a mysterious and charming atmosphere that complemented the exhibition perfectly.
The exhibition runs from December 2 to January 15 and features 16 screen-printed artworks hung around the bar, all available for purchase. The collection is partnered with Bombay Sapphire Gin and focuses on the themes of Summer and romance, featuring vibrant colours (particularly that renowned Bombay blue), definitive lines and block-coloured silhouettes holding classic gin glasses. Throughout the series, subtle gold lines are used to add a touch of exclusivity, tying the pieces together and alluding to the elegance of the Bombay Sapphire brand and highlighting the role it has played in leading gin into the modern era.
“It’s really exciting to partner with Bombay Sapphire on this exhibition, and a lot of thought has gone into the gin story being told through the artworks. Each piece is handmade, and they are more experimental and quite different to my usual pieces, with many of them using glow in the dark and metallic paint. This exhibition took me to a new level of creativity, so I’m looking forward to showcasing the artworks,” said Walsh of the exhibition.
The skilled bartenders and chefs beautifully crafted the drinks and canapés menu for the night, with four different gin cocktails to pick from (all varnished with Bombay Sapphire’s blue ‘edible paint’- an ode to creativity) and six mini canapés that also boasted hints of gin flavouring (big shout out to the juniper braised lamb shoulder tart).
All in all a fantastic night! And to top it off all the proceeds of any art sold will be donated to Epilepsy Action Australia.
– Caitlin
Caitlin Hely is a freelance events and music writer and likes to believe there’s nothing a good cocktail can’t fix. ✨ Follow her antics at @caitlinhely.
The Love of Gin: Tales Old and New runs will be running from 2 December -15 Janurary, so make sure to head on over to The Barber Shop to check it out.
Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of Wanderlust Union.
Photo credit: Chris Pearce
