MUNICH: BMW is celebrating 50 years of its iconic Art Car Collection with the largest exhibition programme in the series’ history, spanning all five continents.
Since its inception in 1975, 20 famous artists have transformed BMW vehicles into “rolling sculptures”, offering a cross-section of art history from Alexander Calder’s pioneering work to Julie Mehretu’s latest creation.
The world tour kicks off on March 20 and will initially cover Europe and Asia.
On March 20-21, a selection of celebrated art cars by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, David Hockney and Jeff Koons will be displayed at Vienna’s Museum of Applied Arts and the SPARK Art Fair.
Meanwhile, Julie Mehretu’s 20th art car will embark on an Asian tour, culminating in an exhibition at Art Basel Hong Kong from March 28–30.
Malaysia is not on the list but BMW said the list of venues is still evolving and will continue through most of 2026. Further stops and venues are planned.
Board member Ilka Horstmeier, responsible for Human Resources and Real Estate at BMW Group, stated that the collection “celebrates 50 years of artistic freedom and visionary design” while symbolising the interplay between society, technology and performance.
In addition to the touring exhibitions, BMW has unveiled a range of lifestyle products, art car miniatures and a commemorative book.
Upcoming events include special exhibitions at the BMW Museum, participation in international art fairs such as Art Dubai and Market Art Fair in Stockholm, as well as displays at prestigious automotive events like the Concorso d’Eleganza at Lake Como and the Louwman Museum in The Hague.
