Helena Jose

John Collingwood has been in the industry for more than 20 years creating cocktails and experiences. He grew up surrounded by art, his mother was an artist and although he went for a different kind of crafting, he later on found himself mixing his first passion with a new excitement, ratio-ism. Collingwood introduces ratio-ism into Art

Each different in tones and aesthetic, the paintings are directly inspired by his time in the beverage industry and aptly represent the qualities of the cocktail they embody. Using ratio algorithms, Collingwood paints cocktails in geometrical shapes and forms including four paintings inspired by his love of classic gin-based cocktails: the Dry Martini; Negroni; Clover Club; and French 75. 

“In my art, key cocktail families have been reimagined using ratios as a simple framework, with colors replacing ingredients and shapes replicating measurements delivering proportion, balance and contrast,” said Collingwood. “Using distinctive hard edging that uses layers of acrylic paint to create eye-catching canvases with depth and texture. Twists are created by simply substituting one or more color(s) for another. This can transform a piece from being elegant and understated to bold and vibrant, mimicking what happens in the cocktail world.”

During Miami Art Week, MO Bar + Lounge will offer prime viewing of the artworks paired with tastings of three of the gin-based cocktails using Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, highlighting the Martinez a classic cocktail highly regarded at the precursor to the Martini with a twist. 

Aubi & Ramsa, a Miami-based ice cream enterprise that combines the classic creamy dessert with alcoholic spirits has specially created an ice cream flavor inspired by the Martinez. It will be available for tastings each day of the exhibit a the hotel’s elegant lobby. Handcrafted in small batches, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, bitters and blood orange create a blissful union with the creamy texture of the product, resulting in a refreshing way to enjoy a wonderfully multifaceted presentation to activate the senses and view art in a new way.

“A Taste of Art”: an immersive, alcohol-infused exhibit will be featured from December 1 – 4 throughout MO bar, La Mar and the Hotel Lobby. 

You can follow John Collingwood at @jtcollingwood.

To learn more about Aubi&Ramsa follow @Aubiramsa

And to keep with all the programming at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel you can visit their website www.mandarinoriental.com