Expressing Ruinart Through 42 Works with a Unique Perspective! First-Ever Initiative Announced!

Each year, Maison Ruinart invites a globally active contemporary artist to Reims for the "Artist in Residence" program to create collaborative works. This year, David Shrigley was invited as the artist. Last year, David visited the Champagne region, explored the vineyards, and discovered Ruinart's cellars, the Crayères, documenting his impressions and expressions.

With a sharp eye and curiosity, David explored the secrets of Champagne production, stating, "When creating works on the theme of Champagne production, I must visit the Champagne region many times, tour the Crayères, vineyards, and wineries, ask questions of the winemakers, and listen carefully to their answers. And most importantly, I must taste the Champagne."

His works interestingly depict the daily tasks and habits of those who work in the vineyards, the winemakers, and everyone who brings Ruinart Champagne to life. Through David's distinctive, uncompromising humor, which views the esteemed Maison with a fresh perspective, one can rediscover Ruinart. Reflecting this bold and passionate approach, David's artistically reinterpreted works are titled "UNCONVENTIONAL BUBBLES." His creations shed new light on the Maison's vineyards, heritage, and savoir-faire.

Furthermore, in a first for Maison Ruinart, David personally designed a limited edition of 30 Jeroboam bottles of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, the Maison's iconic cuvée. A gift box, designed to also serve as an ice bucket, was created in black and white to complement the bottles.

David Shrigley's "UNCONVENTIONAL BUBBLES" are scheduled to be exhibited at 37 international contemporary art fairs where Maison Ruinart is an official sponsor. In Japan, a preview is planned for around November of this year, with exhibition events also scheduled.

Beyond the collaborative artworks, David Shrigley also created 30 limited edition Jeroboam-sized bottles of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs adorned with his art. This marks the first time an artist has directly designed the Maison's iconic bottles, a tradition passed down since the 18th century.

A matching gift box was also created. The gift box, primarily in black and white,
features text characteristic of David Shrigley's work. These reveal aspects that struck him during his visit to Reims and its vineyards: the backstage of Champagne production, the savoir-faire, and the relationship with nature. He emphasizes the complementarity essential to the Maison's cuvée creation, uniting polar opposites such as sun and rain, bees and earthworms, humans and yeast, air and soil. They interact, forming a continuous cycle, culminating in the bottle.

As part of the Maison's artistic reinterpretation, David's designed gift box is highly functional, intended to be used as an ice bucket for Champagne. These are rare, limited edition gift boxes, each featuring the artist's numbered print and signature. Release in Japan is not yet decided.

"UNCONVENTIONAL BUBBLES" Drawings (Excerpts)
All drawings: David Shrigley, untitled, 2019 Acrylic on paper 76 × 56 cm untitled © David Shrigley x Ruinart 2020

David Shrigley / Profile
Born in Macclesfield, UK, in 1968, and based in Brighton. David Shrigley creates works depicting his immediate surroundings with a naive yet distinct style, imbued with rare irony. His pieces often feature absurd text that viewers cannot ignore, provoking and capturing public attention. Humor, whether simple or dark, is his chosen medium, handled with considerable skill and nerve.

He was nominated for the prestigious Turner Prize, awarded to British artists or artists living in Britain, in 2013. In 2016, his 7-meter bronze sculpture "Really Good," a giant thumbs-up gesture, was selected for "Fourth Plinth," one of Britain's most important public art projects in Trafalgar Square, London. In 2018, he was appointed President of the Brighton Festival. While internationally acclaimed in contemporary art, he is also considered a unique artist with a cult following in popular culture through his cartoons and books.

<Maison Ruinart and Art>
Maison Ruinart has utilized art as a means of communication since its founding, promoting its heritage, history, and excellence. Its history began in 1896 when Alphonse Mucha, a leading Art Nouveau artist, was commissioned to create a promotional poster for the Maison.

Today, Ruinart's world is shaped by elegance, purity, radiance, and a timeless new style, created in collaboration with contemporary artists active worldwide, supporting numerous talents each year. The Maison participates as a main sponsor in over 30 art fairs globally, alongside the year's collaboration artist. It has firmly established itself as an indispensable Champagne in the art scene, drawing attention from art lovers worldwide.

Collaborations with Japanese artists include Nendo's Oki Sato in 2011 and ceramic artist Akashi Shinohara in 2014.