Modern Art Distillery, also known as M.A.D., is the brainchild of Caroline Harrison and Catharine Russell, whose friendship and shared journey began as undergraduate students at a London university. Bonding over shared experiences of adventures, laughter, and an affinity for gin during their university days, their paths diverged after graduation, leading them through the conventional phases of careers, marriage, and parenthood. Despite the distance and life's changes, their friendship endured, marked by cherished reunions and celebrations.
Decades later, with their children grown and both living on the south coast of England, Caroline and Catharine, inspired over a glass of gin, embarked on a new adventure, founding Modern Art Distillery. Their vision was to create a range of high-quality, uniquely flavoured craft spirits – gin, rum, and vodka – that would also serve as a canvas for artists. This venture aimed to showcase artwork on their bottles, introducing these artists to a global audience.
M.A.D.'s mission is to blend craft-distilled spirits with modern and contemporary art, supporting and promoting artists, including emerging talents, and fostering global connections. The distillery has become a fusion of art, ideas, and spirits, collaborating with master distillers, artists, photographers, designers, and social media experts. This collective effort has led to the creation of spirits that embody the spirit of creativity.
Each bottle from M.A.D. features labels taken from specially commissioned paintings by artists from the UK and beyond. These bottles are not only vessels of premium spirits but also collectable items, with QR codes leading to further information about the products and the artists involved. Additionally, limited edition prints of these artworks are available for purchase, offering art enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of the creativity that M.A.D. embodies.
Caroline Harrison, with her background in IT, magazine publishing, and a keen interest in art, and Catharine Russell, a former journalist turned craft practitioner and educator, have pooled their diverse professional experiences and shared love of art into this venture. Their passion for gin and art has materialised into a unique platform that supports artists and showcases their work globally alongside M.A.D's unique products.