COLLABORATE
EMMA HACK X KAREN GILLAN X HEDONISM
‘Oh My Goodness…’
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VIEW THE DOCUMENTARY
The most beautiful press by the brilliant Avalon Ashley Bellos for amNY
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Last July I had the amazing opportunity to work in London with the Compass Box team on the label for ‘Hedonism’, featuring work by a female artist each year. This is the very first blended grain Scotch Whisky, my muse was to be Actor and Filmmaker, Karen Gillan.
I wanted to celebrate Hedonism as an essential form of self-care and self- love, highlighting the importance of prioritising personal well-being, pleasure and happiness. When a woman embraces this mindset, she connects deeply with her authentic self, unburdened by societal expectations or norms.
“Hedonism means to me the power, the beauty, the goddess, the strength within, and that’s what I really wanted to capture. Karen is perfect for the character of our Muse.”
I started looking into my Scottish Heritage, connecting to ‘Mother Kate’ my Great Great Grandmother, who led the way to this artwork with clear images of Elm trees, songs, wildflowers and stitched details.
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MUSE LINKS
* The Empress Archetype: Rooted in tarot, one of my gifts. The Empress represents creative power, fertile energy, and abundance—a symbol of flourishing potential and inner sovereignty. The inclusion of wheat and barley motifs reinforces this symbolism, evoking the cycle of life and the elemental base of Hedonism Whisky itself.
* My Celtic Heritage: Featuring the Five-Fold symbol—five interlocking circles representing the elements (earth, air, fire, water, and spirit). This ancient Celtic motif speaks to harmony, unity, and the sacred interconnectedness of all life. It is visually echoed in the decorative framing and spiritual centre of the composition. Our female ancestors are the witches, and all the ‘woo’ I’m now using in my forward journey.
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THE ARTWORK
I wanted to explore the Compass Box connection, interweaving my Scottish Heritage, my work with Tarot and the human condition, and my deep connection to nature seen in my previous creations. This artwork features floral motifs and richly layered, decorative collage installation with hand embroidered wheat and silk wildflowers, blending mysticism, femininity, and ornamentation. I created the Elm background on canvas at home in Australia and then compiled the background in London prior to shoot day. I like to set up the camera and work from this final viewpoint as I go, leaving a little room to shift the design to suit my muse, Karen. When photographing, I direct with emotion and a calming meditative energy to capture the perfect final result.
The treatment of the artwork as a multi-dimensional collage, painted on a canvas background, and collaged with layers of hand embroidery, silk flowers and hand-embroidered wheat, lending a three-dimensional perspective to the composition. This combination of textures breathes life into the scene, as the elements of the halo behind her head seamlessly frame her shoulders, creating a captivating blend of texture and nature.
* Celtic Symbolism: The Five-Fold Celtic symbol is placed gently over her heart—a radiant center of spirit, balance, and feminine power. I used gold leaf for this detail.
* Elemental Imagery: Karen is surrounded by golden elm forests, symbolising ancestral wisdom and protection. A golden wheat/barley garland frames her bust-line, signifying whisky, harvest and abundance.
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I used makeup and body paint for her luminous skin and wheat and blended flower details, a delicate garland of flowers and embroidered wheat crown on her head. I love the feel of the background enveloping Karen seamlessly
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Thank you to the team Compass Box Whisky for in my vision. My Manager Michelle M Collins and Nicole Aspradakis body art for assisting me as well as capturing the day
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