Celebrating curiosity with good friends

I went to a drinks event last night and I was very surprised by my friend Claudia’s reaction when I asked her to join me.

The invitation requested the pleasure of my company – and a plus one – to celebrate the unveiling of Another Hendrick’s – a new permanent Hendrick’s Gin expression infused with orange blossom and cacao.

To mark the release, Hendrick’s Gin has collaborated with acclaimed Australian artist Rone to present Another TIME – a free, two-day-only exhibition at COMA Gallery in Marrickville.

It’s open to the public on 8-9 May and is designed as a space where “art, atmosphere and flavour collide in delightfully unexpected ways”.

Tierney, the lovely PR, sent me a message saying: “We would love to invite you, along with a guest, to an exclusive preview ahead of the public opening and be among the first to step inside this immersive installation – where time pauses, senses awaken and the curious is celebrated.”

All I registered when I read the invite was that new gin expression sounded delicious, but getting to Marrickville by 6pm would be a punish.

However, Claudia exclaimed with excitement and asked if her partner could come along too, as they are both huge fans of Rone. They saw his amazing exhibition at Flinders St Station in Melbourne a few years ago and have followed his work ever since.

Cool! And lovely Tierney kindly said I could bring two plus ones! Bless her.

I have known Claudia and Ashley FOREVER. Longer than forever. Claudia gave me freelance work when I was retrenched during the Recession and we became good friends.

Oh, the sweaty parties we danced at together!

We don’t see nearly enough of each other these days, so it was a great chance to catch up.

According to Rone’s website, he is known internationally for his hauntingly beautiful large-scale portraits set within abandoned and forgotten spaces. His work explores the intersection of darkness and light, black and white, and the emotional space between past and present.

For this exhibition, Rone has reimagined his iconic Backstage experience from TIME, the sell-out show that drew over 140,000 attendees – including Claudia and her partner – to Flinders Street in 2022 and over 60,000 in Perth in 2024.

Rone said: “I’ve always been drawn to contrast – the push and pull between opposing elements and the emotion that sits in between – and Another Hendrick’s captures that same duality.

“The interplay of the bright, uplifting notes of the orange blossom with deeper, richer flavours of cacao inspired me to expand on the installation – which I originally created where nothing is quite what it first seems – to transform the gallery into a space that feels layered, immersive and unexpected, much like the gin itself.”

I caught the Metro to Sydenham Station and survived the 17-minute walk to the gallery. It was surprisingly cold in Sydney yesterday, which presented an excellent opportunity to wear my new Zara jacket.

There were lots of influencers there, doing influencery things.

Delicious Another Hendrick’s Spritzes were served – blending Another Hendrick’s with Peach Liqueur, Prosecco and ice-cold soda water, finished with signature cucumber slices and an orange twist. Nom nom!