BMW Art Car #14: Bold or Banal Exercise in Style?

The 14th official BMW Art Car, created by David Hockney, is currently on display at Peninsula London.

Thirty years after its creation, this BMW 850CSi catches the eye, but beyond the brushstrokes, what do we really think of this work?

Hockney transforms the car into an object that is both interior and exterior. The artist “x-rays” the vehicle: the driver, his faithful dachshund Stanley, and the engine components are drawn on the bodywork, while large green areas symbolize movement and the passing landscape. On paper, the idea is appealing: the car becomes a kind of three-dimensional painting, a bridge between art and mechanics. But this approach raises a question: how much does the Art Car remain a true artwork and not just a visual gimmick? After all, the car has never driven and will never participate in a race, reducing its impact to that of a contemplative object.

BMW exhausting the vein?

David Hockney, a major figure in Pop Art, masters color and perspective. His Californian pools or luminous landscapes make sense in art history. But translating this vision onto a bodywork – however iconic – may seem less striking. The car, as a medium, imposes constraints and a different temporality that does not exist on canvas. The Art Car therefore questions: is the work appreciated for the notoriety of its creator, for its design, or for its ability to reinvent our relationship with automobiles?

Exhibited at Peninsula London, the Art Car is accompanied by interactive events and luxurious animations, blending afternoon tea with classic car auctions. BMW thus emphasizes its cultural commitment, but some might see it more as a prestige operation than a genuine artistic celebration.

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In the end, BMW’s 14th Art Car fascinates, amuses, and raises questions. It reminds us that the car is not only a means of mobility but also a canvas for aesthetic experimentation. It remains to be seen whether this approach truly shifts our perception of automotive art or if it remains an elegant nod to Hockney’s creativity.

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