The new Aston Martin Vanquish has inspired a monumental light sculpture by British-American contemporary artist Anthony James, unveiled in Hollywood ahead of Los Angeles’ most prestigious art festival, Frieze.
Introduced in 2024 as the pinnacle of Aston Martin’s fabled front-engine sports car range, Vanquish has since been hailed as a piece of automotive art.
Now, it inspires ‘Reflections of Speed’, a monumental 5.4-metre x 2.6-metre immersive sculpture created over 12 months at James’ LA studio. This sculpture brings Vanquish to life through his signature style of light, alchemy, and modern materials.
The artistry of this unique British collaboration is undeniable, and the unparalleled commitment to meticulous detail and engineering precision is evident in all aspects. Every element has been carefully crafted, from the most minor curve to the most intricate property. This mastery ultimately reflects Vanquish, Aston Martin’s automotive masterpiece.
Unveiled to an intimate audience from Aston Martin’s Californian community and the world of art, the piece will be displayed beside the iconic swimming pool of Chateau Marmont—West Hollywood’s most exclusive hotel—throughout the weekend of Frieze Los Angeles.
Anthony James is renowned for his distinctive light sculptures, which seek to evoke the infinite cosmos. The artist blends light and geometry to explore space and time, employing glass, often in conjunction with LED lighting, to create sculptures that reflect light infinitely.
His method typically involves parallel or angled mirrors to bounce light sources back and forth, creating reflections that appear to extend into infinity. This gives viewers the impression of looking down an endless tunnel of light. The sculpture is not modular; it is a single, unified object weighing 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg).
Often seeking inspiration from the automotive world for his work, James’ passion for cars began from a young age, inspired by the cinematic and motorsports culture of the 1970s and 1980s. Since 2007, his work has primarily revolved around the intersection of art and automotive design.
This piece is the latest in Aston Martin collaborations with leading artists and creatives, from photographer Rankin to collage artist Robi Walters and Brazilian pop artist Romero Britto. Reflections of Speed follows Anthony James’ work, which previously adorns Q New York, Aston Martin’s flagship luxury location on Park Avenue.
Reflections of Speed, which the debuted in partnership with The Art Newspaper, a leading journal for the visual arts, has won praise from critics.
As Aston Martin’s most potent flagship in its 112-year history, Vanquish represents innovation in engineering and aesthetics, merging advanced technologies with creative design. This synergises with how artists redefine boundaries and tradition by experimenting with new techniques and mediums.
Like iconic works of art, the new Vanquish is designed to transcend trends to remain desirable and relevant for decades. Its classic elegance and modern edge blend ensure it retains a sense of timelessness, much like a masterpiece that endures across generations.
Following its unveiling, the sculpture will be displayed to the public at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. It is intended to be offered for sale later this year, with all proceeds supporting the museum and the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, an emergency relief fund for artists and arts workers impacted by the devastating Los Angeles fires.