Absolut Vodka Inspires a New Generation of Diverse Artists With 'The Other Half' Initiative
Five artists will showcase artworks alongside Andy Warhol’s newly discovered ‘Absolut ‘blue’ painting during an upcoming exhibit at London’s Saatchi Gallery.
In 1985, Andy Warhol created a painting inspired by the Absolut Vodka bottle for the Swedish brand’s Absolut Art campaign. Absolut Warhol remains a seminal piece of iconography, and in 2020, a rediscovered ‘blue’ artwork revived Warhol’s collaboration with the premium Vodka brand. Celebrating this discovery, Absolut reimagines its iconic, apothecary-inspired bottle with Warhol’s ‘Absolut ‘blue,’ bringing a unique, limited edition bottle to fans of the spirit.
In partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Absolut is carrying the 1985 collaboration into the future with the next generation of multidisciplinary creatives, inviting five artists to build upon Warhol’s original piece. The featured artists will showcase their original artworks during the Absolut x Warhol: The Other Half Exhibit at Saatchi Gallery in London starting Friday, October 4, until Sunday, October 6.
Since Absolut Vodka’s first collaboration with Andy Warhol, the brand has amassed over 800 artworks inspired by its iconic bottle — featuring notable works by Keith Haring, Julia Wachtel, Olly Alexander and more. The Absolut Warhol: The Other Half initiative underlines the brand’s long-standing commitment to the arts, providing a platform for diverse voices while honoring Warhol’s indelible legacy of disrupting artistic norms and embracing cultural inclusivity. Spotlighting next-gen creators, Absolut traverses past, present and future interpretations of Warhol’s original artwork, providing an immersive space to experience these tangible works in conversation with the late artist.
Artist and designer Kelly Anna, London-based Nigerian artist Ken Nwadiogbu, fashion designer and visual artist Jade Pearl, mixed media artist Xu Yang and co-founder of 3D design practice XK, artist and director Alexa Sirbu are among the featured talents slated to debut work at the Saatchi Gallery. Their distinctive practices will represent the creative fluidity of contemporary art, where fashion, design, music and more coalesce.
Absolut pays homage to the rediscovered Absolut Warhol ‘blue’ painting while recognizing rising artists who carry the torch of uninhibited and transformative expression.
RSVP to Absolut Warhol: The Other Half here. Stay tuned on Hypebae to learn more about each artist. The Absolut x Warhol: The Other Half Exhibit at Saatchi Gallery is open to the public starting October 4. Spirit lovers can pick up the special edition Absolut Warhol bottle by visiting Harvey Nichols.
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