Meet the artist behind the Scottish Curling Championship’s stunning ice art
![Hendrick’s Gin](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/icons/Huck/Hendricks-Gin.png?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
- Text by Huck HQ
![Meet the artist behind the Scottish Curling Championship’s stunning ice art](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/Hendricks_x_Orla_Stevens_Screengrab_014.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
If you happened to tune in to this year’s Scottish Curling Championship between 4-10 February, you’ll have been greeted with a rather wondrous sight. To promote its sponsorship of Scottish Curling’s showpiece event, Hendrick’s Gin commissioned a local artist to bring the usually unadorned playing surface to life with a burst of colour and flavour.
Inspired by the rich plant life found in the greenhouses at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace, the atmospheric coastal landscape that surrounds it, and the rich heritage of the sport of curling itself, Glasgow-based artist and illustrator Orla Stevens created a series of spectacular abstract designs in her home studio, which were frozen under the ice for the duration of the championships.
Curling stones are traditionally made of granite harvested from Ailsa Craig, a legendary volcanic outcrop that sits just off the mainland – a stone’s throw away from the Hendrick’s Gin Palace. This local connection formed a key part of the narrative that Orla weaved into her artwork, together with her own passion for nature and the outdoors.
She explains: “Nature and the outdoors are a big part of my life; they go hand in hand with my creative process. For this project, I was able to reference a lot of nature imagery from the research trip that we had, drawing from the landscape, and then also drawing from the plant life in the Hendrick’s greenhouses.”
Watch the short film below to learn more about Orla’s creative process, which is as refreshingly curious as Hendrick’s Gin & Tonic served with a slice of cucumber. You’ll also discover how she took inspiration from meeting both Lesley Gracie, Master Distiller at Hendrick’s, and Scottish Olympic Curler Scott Andrews.
Try a refreshing Hendrick’s & Tonic garnished with a slice of cucumber. To find out more visit hendricksgin.com
Latest on Huck
![Autism cannot be cured — stop trying](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/shutterstock_2322534063.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Autism cannot be cured — stop trying
A questionable study into the ‘reversal’ of autism does nothing but reinforce damaging stereotypes and harm, argues autistic author Jodie Hare.
Written by: Jodie Hare
![Bristol Photo Festival returns for second edition](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/Hashem-Shakeri-from-the-series-_Staring-into-the-Abyss_.-%C2%A9-Hashem-Shakeri.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Bristol Photo Festival returns for second edition
After the success of it’s inaugural run, the festival returns this autumn with exhibitions, education and community programmes exploring a world in constant motion through still image.
Written by: Ben Smoke
![Documenting the life of a New York gang leader paralysed by gun violence](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/web-Eyanna-has-always-been-Maliks-primary-caregiver.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Documenting the life of a New York gang leader paralysed by gun violence
New photobook ‘Say Less’ is a complex yet humanising look into a life wrecked by gun violence and organised crime.
Written by: Isaac Muk
![The woman who defined 80s Hip Hop photography](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/7_ULTRAMAGNETIC-MCS_NYC-1990.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
The woman who defined 80s Hip Hop photography
A new exhibition brings together Janette Beckman’s visionary and boundary pushing images of an era of cultural change and moral panic.
Written by: Miss Rosen
![In photos: the dogs of Dogtown](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/saguy_dogtown_02_RGB.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
In photos: the dogs of Dogtown
A new photobook documents Venice Beach’s four legged friends and their colourful cast of owners.
Written by: Isaac Muk
![Inside the battle to stop coal](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/DSC00173.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Inside the battle to stop coal
As the legal challenge against Britain’s first deep coal mine in 30 years reaches the High court, we talk to activists at the centre of the fight to stop it.
Written by: Ben Smoke