For half a century, the BMW Art Car Collection has fused high-performance engineering with artistic expression. From Alexander Calder to Julie Mehretu, the 20-car collection has become a rolling gallery of contemporary art. It blends motorsport, design, and cultural engagement. To mark this milestone, BMW is taking its Art Cars on a world tour, bringing these unique creations to audiences across five continents.
A Legacy of Speed and Creativity
The BMW Art Car project began in 1975 when French auctioneer and racing driver Hervé Poulain had a bold idea. He decided to commission an artist to design a race car. American sculptor Alexander Calder transformed a BMW 3.0 CSL, which then competed at Le Mans. This vehicle captivated both art lovers and motorsport fans. Since then, a prestigious line-up of artists, including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney, and Jeff Koons, have left their mark on BMW’s high-performance machines.
Each Art Car is more than just a painted vehicle. It represents a unique dialogue between art and automotive innovation. The designs reflect various artistic movements, from Pop Art to digital abstraction, encapsulating the evolution of contemporary art over the past five decades.
The 50th Anniversary World Tour
To celebrate 50 years of Art Cars, BMW is embarking on a global tour. They will showcase these automotive masterpieces at major art fairs, museums, and events. Highlights of the tour include:
- Vienna, Austria (March 2025): The Museum of Applied Arts and SPARK Art Fair will display Art Cars by Warhol, Lichtenstein, Rauschenberg, Hockney, and Koons.
- Hong Kong (March 2025): The latest Art Car, a BMW M Hybrid V8 designed by Julie Mehretu, will be presented at Art Basel.
- Shanghai Auto Show (April 2025): Mehretu’s creation will continue its journey, connecting automotive innovation with contemporary art.
- The Hague, Netherlands (July-August 2025): The Louwman Museum will host a special exhibition featuring eight Art Cars.
- Cape Town, South Africa (2026): The Zeitz MOCAA museum will showcase the African Film and Media Arts Collective. This is an initiative inspired by Mehretu’s Art Car project.
Art Cars Beyond the Gallery
The Art Cars aren’t just museum pieces. Some have taken to the track. Warhol famously hand-painted his BMW M1 in 1979 in just 28 minutes. He declared, “I love that car. It has turned out better than the artwork.” Other Art Cars have raced at Le Mans and become cultural icons. They prove that performance and creativity can go hand in hand.
BMW is also launching a range of anniversary merchandise, including a miniature model of Mehretu’s Art Car and a new edition of the “BMW Art Cars” book. A collaboration with Puma will bring a fresh fashion collection inspired by these automotive artworks.
The Future of BMW Art Cars
The Art Car tradition is far from over. BMW continues to push boundaries, inviting contemporary artists to reimagine the relationship between art, technology, and mobility. As the automotive world shifts towards electrification and digital innovation, future Art Cars may embrace new materials, interactive elements, and AI-driven designs.
What’s Your Favourite BMW Art Car?
With 20 Art Cars spanning 50 years, each tells a different story. Do you have a favourite? Would you like to see new artists take on the challenge? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Please follow and like us: