Travel Diaries : Menorca
A special September trip with a friend to one of Spains balearic islands provided a laid back and quiet escape, enriched with inspiration after a busy summer. I visited Menorca in 2021 and I still revert back for inspiration in my practice today. Hiring a car meant we were able to experience the island as a whole. We travelled to beaches, towns, galleries, markets and more and spent our time exploring the island, eating fruit from the markets and pimientos de Padrón and tapas in the towns. We drank coffee and fresh orange juice in the sun in the morning and aperol spritz and local wines as the afternoons turned to evenings, sinking into the Menorcan lifestyle.
Photos below from Ciutadella de Menorca
Buildings of oranges, reds and pinks and sea’s deep in green and blue provided new colour palettes for my future collections, especially the ‘Solis’ collection. ‘Solis’ featured six designs that were made into cards and prints. By using warm bright colours that featured throughout Menorca and illustrating what we got up to during our time there my aim was to capture the feeling of a hot summer abroad.
View or buy our ‘Solis’ collection (Limited stock available) On day three we got on a ferry from Mahon harbour and travelled across the water to Illa del Rei, a stunning island where the Hauser and Wirth gallery is located. A place to surround yourself in art, nature, history, conservation and education. Currently closed for the winter period but reopening in spring 2023 it is a must if you’re planning a trip to Menorca. The islands beauty alone is enough to entice you over but when you arrive you’ll find much more. Set within the grounds of an 18th century naval hospital it is steeped with history. The Hauser and Wirth repurposed this and opened it up to the public in 2021. Take a look through the windows and doors into the hospitals rooms and you can see the perfectly restored wards as they would have been when in use.
With a constant rotation of exhibitions mixed with regular artists as well as the importance of wildlife and conservation on the island, including the many species of plants and hundreds of podarcis lilfordi basking in the sun; a lizard endemic to the Balearic Islands, there is a lot to immerse yourself in here. Add doing all of this in the 30 degree heat and a break in the Cantina bar and restaurant is very welcome. Beautifully set within an olive-tree forest and with a feast of seasonal food on the menu that is heavily influenced by traditional Menorcan cuisine it’s the perfect rest stop.
A firm favourite for most people when visiting a gallery or museum is the gift shop, and Hauser and Wirth’s is probably one of the best I’ve ever visited. Styled beautifully with books, prints, postcards, homeware pieces and food products it reflects the entire experience in one perfectly curated space.
Photos below from Illa Del Rei and the Hauser and Wirth gallery 
After spending the first part of our trip staying on the west cost in Ciutadella de Menorca we travelled down to the south coast to check into our second accomodation, the Menorca Experimental. A renovated 19th century finca set within hectares of idyllic, rural land. Designed by architect and designer, Dorothee Meilichzon and surrounded by design, it was built to inspire. Throughout the hotel illustrated symbols are featured, the hotel shop is filled with carefully chosen artisan products and the textiles and ceramics are by Moroccan based design studio LRNCE. As soon as you walk in you get a feeling of calm, a place to inspire, relax and recharge. This feeling is complimented by the white, pink, terracotta and teal tones of the building and overall styling and enjoyed throughout the beautiful grounds, serene pool and spa and mediterranean restaurant.
Photos below from our stay at the Menorca Experimental
A gorgeous part of the world and a source for vast amounts of inspiration, Menorca was up there with the best. I found great pleasure in slowing down and exploring in a more relaxed way, all whilst absorbing endless amounts of creative influence. I came back from this trip feeling well rested, educated and inspired - what more could you want! I’ll definitely be back.
Four of the illustrations from the ‘Solis’ collection below, inspired by my visit to Menorca. Check out the full series here.
