On their own, the House of Suntory’s Hibiki 21 Years Old and Hibiki 30 Years Old are coveted blends in the world of Japanese whisky. With its notes of honeycomb, sandalwood, and dried apricot, the Hibiki 21 Years Old strikes a careful balance between delicate and complex, while the Hibiki 30 Years Old’s dried fig, gingerbread, and apricot jam resonate across the palate. Now the distiller’s commission of contemporary artist and painter Hiroshi Senju has elevated them to collector’s editions.
In addition to reimagining the presentation boxes for both editions, the House also commissioned Senju to create Waterfall on Colors ‘Hibiki,’ a monumental painting in the defining aesthetic that has earned the artist such designations as the Gold Prize at the 46th Venice Biennale. Senju found inspiration in the purple hues of the distiller’s Kokimurasaki gradient, and rendered them in his characteristic poured Nihonga manner of painting with water and hokaimatsu powder.
“This collaboration is a perfect example of what I strive for in my practice: to create a bridge between deep philosophy and everyday life,” Senju tells Surface. “Just as a sip of Hibiki can evoke a moment of harmony, I hope my artwork on these bottles inspires people to pause and contemplate the beautiful, flowing complexity of their own lives.”
Artistry is personal for the House of Suntory, which supports global talent across both visual and sound art. Soon after announcing the news of Senju’s commission, Hibiki poured at Cristina Grajales Gallery for “The Art of the Jewelry Box,” a pop-up exhibition of jewelry paired with vitrines by international designers.
