Main Image: BMW Art Car #20 by artist Julie Mehretu. Photo: Julian Kroehl © BMW AG (05/2024)
Drawing inspiration from her painting Everywhen
On May 21st, Julie Mehretu revealed her design for the 20th BMW Art Car at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Her graffiti-style aesthetic has transformed the BMW M Hybrid V8, drawing inspiration from her painting Everywhen (2021–23), currently on view in her retrospective at the Palazzo Grassi in Venice.
The car will compete this June in the prestigious Le Man’s 24-hour race, featuring her characteristic multi- layered motifs and bright colours. This collaboration merges art and automotive engineering, creating a unique spectacle for art enthusiasts and motorsport fans.
The legacy of the BMW art car series
The BMW Art Car Series, which started in 1975 with Alexander Calder’s colourful BMW 3.0 CSL, has become a prestigious honour for contemporary artists. Over the years, celebrated figures such as Jenny Holzer, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Jeff Koons have contributed to the project. Each artist brings their distinct vision to these vehicles, transforming them into moving canvases that capture the intersection of creativity and technology.
These artistic masterpieces are showcased at the BMW Museum in Munich, but they frequently travel for global exhibitions. This ensures that a wide audience can experience the blend of artistic ingenuity and automotive excellence firsthand.
Mehretu’s artistic journey and influence
Julie Mehretu is renowned for her intricate, layered compositions that explore themes of history, geopolitics, and the socio-cultural landscape. Her dynamic style often incorporates elements of cartography and architecture, creating visually compelling narratives that resonate deeply with viewers.
Her previous high-profile corporate commission debuted in 2010 when she painted an 80-foot-long mural in the lobby of Goldman Sachs in New York. This monumental piece is a testament to her ability to convey complex concepts through abstract forms.
Current retrospective: “Ensemble”
Currently, Mehretu’s work is being celebrated in a major retrospective titled “Ensemble,” on view at the Palazzo Grassi in Venice until January 6, 2025. This exhibition offers a comprehensive look at her evolution as an artist, featuring key works highlighting her innovative painting and drawing approach. Visitors to the Palazzo Grassi can immerse themselves in Mehretu’s vibrant visual language, gaining insight into her creative process and thematic concerns.
Future endeavours and continuing impact
As Mehretu continues pushing contemporary art’s boundaries, her contributions to the BMW Art Car Series are a significant milestone in her career. By bringing her distinctive graffiti-style aesthetic to the world of motorsport, Mehretu expands her artistic repertoire and enriches the cultural dialogue between art and technology.
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