First African artist for Taittinger

Champagne Taittinger has added a new artist to its collection of specially commissioned Vintage Champagne bottles designed by world famous artists.

Senegalese Amadou Sow is the latest artist to be commissioned by Taittinger to create a limited edition bottle, this time for the 2002 Vintage. The new bottle will be available from late March priced £175 from wine merchants and prestige retailers.

Amadou Sow’s bottle is 12th in the series. Sow describes the universe as being at the heart of the artist’s mission, and he aims to convey a message through his paintings. Sow has named his Collection “Cosmic Pearls” and it depicts evening in Africa with vibrant colours on a black backdrop reflecting the star-studded sky, the universe and beyond. His colourful bottle design is also reminiscent of Champagne bubbles.

Champagne Taittinger Brut 2002 is a blend of 50% Chardonnay from the “Grands Crus” of the Côte des Blancs and 50% Pinot Noir from the “Grands Crus” of the Montagne de Reims and the start of the Vallée de la Marne.
The Collection Series was the brainchild of Claude Taittinger who approached the Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely in 1983 with a view to commissioning the artist to make a distinctive look for a small number of vintage 1978 bottles. So successful was the execution, and so popular the concept, that Taittinger has continued to handpick artists to commemorate their special vintages.

The series comprises pieces from the following artists:

1. Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely with the Brut 1978
2. French artist Arman with the Brut 1981
3. French artist André Masson with Brut 1982
4. Portuguese artist Vieira da Silva with Brut 1983
5. American Roy Lichtenstein with Brut 1985
6. German Hans Hartung with Brut 1986
7. Japanese artist Toshimitsu Imaï with Brut 1988
8. Dutch artist Guillaume Cornelis van Beverloo, alias Corneille, with Brut 1990
9. Chilean Roberto Sébastien Echaurren, known as Matta, with the Brut 1992
10. Chinese Zao Wou-Ki with Brut 1998.
11. American Robert Rauschenberg with Brut 2000

Said Lynn Murray, marketing director of Hatch Mansfield, Champagne Taittinger’s sole UK agents: “The Taittinger Collection continues to be one of the most eagerly awaited releases from the Taittinger house. Produced in limited quantities they are very eye catching, striking pieces which appeal not only to the avid collector but those looking for an unusual and memorable gift. This latest addition is produced by the first African artist commissioned to the collection and is a truly stunning piece.”

About the artist
Amadou Sow was born in 1951 in Saint-Louis, Senegal and grew up on Gorée Island. He began his artistic career with rock sculptures in the 1970s, turning then towards rigid and transparent plexiglass, and finally to ceramics. Today the artist believes that these phases brought a richness to his artistic universe. Describing the universe seems to be at the heart of the artist’s mission, as he aims to convey a message through his paintings. The artist’s paintings reflect his life, coloured by journeys and encounters. Settled in Vienna since 1972, where he attended the prestigious and 300-year-old Academy of Fine Arts, the one who is called “the African” today regularly exhibits his work around the world. He does not exclude Senegal, to which he returns from time to time to renew his strength, and to share his passion with young artists.

1 March 2011 - Felicity Murray