Hennessy Very Special by Faith XLVII

For the tenth annual Hennessy Very Special Limited Edition, the Maison Hennessy is proud to announce its global collaboration with the South African street-turned-studio artist Faith XLVII – the first South African artist to be part of the series.

Faith XLVII is also the first female voice to join the Limited Editions series.  Past collaborations feature a formidable artistic lineage such as Felipe Pantone, Vhils, JonOne, Shepard Fairey, Os Gemeos, Futura and Kaws.

“This marks an exciting new chapter in the Maison’s tradition of fostering partnerships with artists who are part of a global movement. Through it, Hennessy reaffirms our commitment to supporting emerging talent that strives to effect positive change at community level. It has been a privilege to work with Faith and to reflect on the artistic synergies between our art forms. We believe the result is extremely striking and encapsulates much of what we both stand for” says Pascal Asin, Managing Director, Moet Hennessy Africa Middle East.

Faith XLVII: Alchemist of Nature and Art

At the root of Faith XLVII’s artistic journey is a desire to foster healing and awareness about the interconnected nature of the universe. “It’s an energetic phenomenon,” the artist explains. “We’re seeing a shift in perspective toward protecting nature, the earth, animals and the environment.”

Faith XLVII is a self-taught talent who developed her artistic signature independently, building her vision as she grew up in South Africa. “There weren’t a lot of women in the space at that time, so I felt the need to challenge the kind of the status quo in a masculine environment,” the artist recalls. In her work, she addressed South Africa’s complex social dynamic from a female perspective, and, notably, in a series based on the Freedom Charter.

In 2017, Faith XLVII relocated from Cape Town to LA. Today, she is a leading player in the international art scene, yet she sees herself as “a citizen of the earth”, part of a wider community of ‘woke’ artists.

“My roots run deep,” explains Faith XLVII. “What I learn when I create is the cumulative result of an entire life experience.”

Hennessy Very Special 2020: Blending the Elements

For Faith XLVII, this tenth anniversary collaboration is part of a new cycle of creation that begins with Hennessy Very Special. She concludes, “Collaborating with Hennessy dovetails perfectly with things I am always thinking about: the cycles of nature, the phases of the moon, the seasons and a circle-like cyclical time — and just how all of these things make us alive.”

She has created a powerful work of art representing Hennessy through the elements, earth and these cycles of nature. With the sun and time as central elements, intricate detail pays tribute to nature via references to the moon, rain, clouds and grapevines accentuated in precious gold leaf.

One of the initial things Faith XLVII sensed was the luxury of time that goes into crafting Hennessy Blends. In her eyes, the complex process of selecting eaux-de-vie — a process that relies on centuries of savoir-faire — offered a soothing antidote to the high-speed digital age.

“Hennessy is rooted in very simple principles, which seem the same as they were when they started more than 250 years ago,” the artist observes. “To me, it’s really beautiful to be connected with a completely natural process.” The bridge between Hennessy’s universe and her own immediately became self-evident.

“In my work, I take the time to seek out form and be considerate of raw materials. There’s a kind of organic alchemy to the process, which is also true of the way Hennessy works. In a way we are both taking basic substances and creating something new,” says Faith XLVII.

About Hennessy Very Special

Hennessy Very Special has a unique style that makes it a reference in the art of blending. Hennessy Very Special by Faith XLVII brings together warm-hearted and full-bodied flavors. This know-how has been passed down through generations, to the delight of connoisseurs in search of a very special moment. For this reason among many others, it is a cognac appreciated by tastemakers over the world.

Demanding in its creation, yet immediately satisfying in its tasting, Hennessy Very Special marks its inimitable style across time. As a reflection of Hennessy’s know-how, Hennessy Very Special’s audacious personality is the result of carefully selecting expressive eaux-de-vie. After maturation in French oak casks, the eaux-de-vie are then blended with the mastery and consistency unique to the Maison Hennessy.