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Johnnie Walker launches Lunar New Year bottle with artist James Jean
The Diageo-owned blended Scotch whisky brand has partnered with artist James Jean, whose work appeared on posters for iconic Hollywood films Mother! and The Shape of Water, on a new Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year limited edition design.
Jean, a Taiwanese-American artist, has designed the new bottle depicting an interpretation of 2024’s Zodiac animal — the dragon.
Born in Taipei and raised in New Jersey, Jean attended the School of Visual Arts in New York. His previous projects include working with Hollywood directors Darren Aronofsky and Guillermo del Toro on poster designs for Mother! and The Shape of Water.
Jean has also designed artwork for the Lunar New Year John Walker & Sons XR 21 limited edition design.
He said of the project: “With Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year, we wanted to create a dragon that felt different, new and innovative – respect for the past but also looking into the future with optimism; in the same way that Johnnie Walker stands for progress through that incredible Keep Walking spirit.”
“The Year of the Dragon is rich in symbolism and tradition in Asia. Many consider the dragon the most powerful animal in the Chinese Zodiac and the Wood Dragon felt remarkably close to me because of the natural elements prevalent in my own work.”
Evolved from traditional depictions of Chinese dragons, Jean’s dragon is composed of flowers and organic elements.
He said: “There are hidden elements in the picture as well – layers to be discovered, just like the layers in this incredible whisky. I included chrysanthemums, from which flow liquid gold – inspired by Johnnie Walker whiskies – and hummingbirds sipping on the precious nectar. I want the viewer to peel back the layers and discover more about the image. I want my work to function from far away but reveal more details the more closely you explore the imagery.”
All Johnnie Walker Lunar New Year limited edition designs are available in selected markets globally.