As the BMW Art Car Collection marks its 50th anniversary, BMW Group Middle East is bringing one of its most legendary works to the UAE for the first time. The celebrated BMW M1 Art Car, hand-painted by pop art pioneer Andy Warhol in 1979, will take centre stage at Art Dubai 2025, held from April 16 to 20.

This rare masterpiece, one of the most recognisable in the 20-car collection, is a fusion of speed, design, and artistic expression. Warhol’s bold, energetic brushstrokes transformed the BMW M1 into a dynamic canvas, capturing motion through colour and abstraction. The artist once said of the car, “I love that car. It has turned out better than the artwork.”

Now, more than four decades later, Warhol’s rolling artwork is making its regional debut, offering UAE residents a rare opportunity to experience the fusion between automotive engineering and contemporary art.

Andy Warhol, widely regarded as a founding figure of Pop Art, remains one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His legacy, from the iconic images of Marilyn Monroe to his screen prints of consumer products, continues to resonate in both the art world and popular culture.

Celebrating 50 Years of BMW Art Cars

Karim-Christian Haririan, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East, described the moment as a cultural milestone.

“Andy Warhol’s BMW M1 Art Car is a true masterpiece that bridges the worlds of art and automotive excellence,” he said. 

Dr Thomas Girst, BMW Group’s Head of Cultural Engagement, added: “With the BMW Art Car World Tour now underway, I’m especially delighted to see the Middle East playing a key role in this global celebration.”

BMW Art Talk at Art Dubai

In addition to the exhibition, BMW will host a special panel discussion on April 17 titled “Driven by Art: Are Commissions and Co-Creations the Future?” The talk will explore the history and cultural significance of the Art Car programme and its impact on contemporary art.

The panel will feature prominent voices from the global art scene, including:

• Hans Ulrich Obrist (Artistic Director, Serpentine Galleries)
• Stephanie Rosenthal (Director, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi)
• Azu Nwagbogu (Founder, African Artists’ Foundation)
• Prof. Dr Thomas Girst (BMW Group, 

Together, they’ll explore how commissioned artworks like the BMW Art Cars continue to influence cultural narratives and drive new forms of creative collaboration.

The Story Behind Warhol’s M1

The fourth car in the BMW Art Car Collection, Warhol’s M1, was painted using 13 pounds (6 kg) of paint in just 28 minutes. The artist chose not to rely on assistants or stencils, instead, he painted the vehicle himself using broad, expressive strokes.

“I have tried to give a vivid depiction of speed. If a car is really fast, all the contours and colours will become blurred,” Warhol explained.

The M1 was originally designed by famed Italian car designer Giorgio Giugiaro and went on to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1979. Driven by Manfred Winkelhock (Germany), Hervé Poulain, and Marcel Mignot (France), it finished sixth overall and second in its class.

(Source: bmwgroup.com)