Andy Warhol’s BMW M1 Art Car makes Middle East Debut
At Art Dubai 2025
As the BMW Art Car World Tour rolls into 2025, one of the world’s most iconic art-meets-automotive creations has made its long-awaited Middle Eastern debut. Andy Warhol’s legendary BMW M1 Art Car is now on display at Art Dubai 2025, marking a significant moment in regional and international art history.
Unveiled on the fairgrounds of Madinat Jumeirah, the vehicle takes centre stage during the celebrated annual art fair, which runs from April 18 to 20, 2025. The fourth instalment in BMW’s Art Car Collection, Warhol’s hand-painted M1 was completed in just 28 minutes in 1979 and remains one of the most recognisable pieces in the crossover of contemporary art and automotive innovation.
Established in 2007, Art Dubai has become the Middle East’s leading platform for contemporary, modern, and digital art. With a reputation for spotlighting underrepresented voices from across the globe, this year’s edition features more than 120 galleries representing over 40 countries.
The fair elevates the region’s cultural profile and provides a dynamic stage for artists, curators, and collectors to engage, explore, and exchange ideas.
BMW Art Car World Tour
The presence of Warhol’s BMW M1 is more than just an artistic gesture. It forms part of BMW’s Art Car World Tour 2025, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the BMW Art Car Collection.
Since its inception in 1975 with Alexander Calder’s commission on a BMW 3.0 CSL, the initiative has brought together some of the world’s most influential artists to transform vehicles into mobile masterpieces. Warhol’s M1, in particular, stands out for its bold brushwork and raw energy, capturing motion and speed vividly in an abstract form.
BMW’s partnership with Art Dubai reflects its long-term commitment to supporting the arts and fostering cross-cultural dialogue. This year’s collaboration extends beyond the showpiece car. BMW also curated a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Driven by Art: Are Commissions and Co-creations the Future?” The talk, held on April 17 at Art Dubai’s auditorium, brought together renowned international curators and cultural leaders to explore the growing role of collaborative artistic production.
Moderated by Prof Dr Thomas Girst, Global Head of Cultural Engagement at BMW Group, the panel featured influential voices including Azu Nwagbogu, Founder of the African Artists’ Foundation and LagosPhoto Festival; Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director of the Serpentine; and Dr Stephanie Rosenthal, Director of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project.
Together, they examined the evolution of commissioned works and the potential of co-creation to reshape contemporary culture, starting with the BMW Art Car project.
Now in its 50th year, the BMW Art Car Collection features contributions from a roster of artistic legends, including Roy Lichtenstein, Esther Mahlangu, Jeff Koons, and Julie Mehretu. Each artist has reimagined a different BMW model, transforming vehicles into powerful statements that reflect both individual vision and the spirit of the era in which they were created.
Warhol’s 1979 M1 is often regarded as a milestone in the collection. Unlike his earlier, more commercial work, the Art Car represents a raw and spontaneous approach. Warhol insisted on painting directly onto the car himself – a rarity among commissioned artists in the series – capturing the essence of movement with broad strokes and vivid colour.
Middle East role
The Art Car’s arrival in Dubai signals the growing importance of the Middle East as a destination for global art initiatives. Already known for its cutting-edge architecture and luxury appeal, Dubai has increasingly asserted itself as a major player in the international art scene. With institutions like Art Dubai, the city offers fertile ground for global cultural engagement, and BMW’s involvement highlights the power of art to connect people across disciplines and borders.
As the BMW Art Car World Tour continues its global journey, showcasing these mobile masterpieces in major cities and cultural institutions, Dubai’s inclusion on the schedule underscores its strategic role as a cultural crossroads. The tour spans five continents and aims to rekindle public interest in the collection, introducing new audiences to the unique blend of technology, performance, and artistic expression that defines the series.
Art Dubai 2025 is a platform for viewing contemporary works and a site of active conversation and exchange. From its curated exhibitions to immersive talks and educational programmes, the fair remains a beacon for innovation and creativity in the region. Warhol’s BMW M1, now gleaming under the Dubai sun, is a vibrant reminder that art can live, breathe, and even drive through the world.
For visitors and collectors alike, the chance to witness this piece of art history in person is not to be missed. As the Art Car World Tour continues, the spotlight shines brightly on Dubai, where the past, present, and future of art and design converge in one unforgettable celebration.
Image: Andy Warhol insisted on painting directly onto the BMW M1 car himself. Credit: BMW
