The 2025 edition of Art Dubai will see the Middle East debut of Andy Warhol’s iconic BMW M1 Art Car, as the German automaker celebrates the 50th anniversary of its legendary Art Car Collection.
The vehicle, painted by Warhol in just 28 minutes in 1979, will be on display at Madinat Jumeirah from 18 to 20 April, with VIP preview days on 16 and 17 April.
The Warhol BMW M1 is part of the BMW Art Car World Tour, a global exhibition series showcasing the brand’s collection of artist-designed vehicles across five continents.
READ MORE: Mercedes-Benz G-Class Edition STRONGER THAN THE 1980s Celebrates Iconic Off-Road Heritage
Initiated in 1975, the BMW Art Car project began when French racing driver Hervé Poulain invited Alexander Calder to paint a BMW 3.0 CSL.
Since then, artists including Roy Lichtenstein, Esther Mahlangu, Jeff Koons, and Julie Mehretu have each contributed to the “rolling sculpture” series, merging performance engineering with visionary creativity.
BMW’s presence at Art Dubai extends beyond the iconic vehicle. On 17 April, the marque will host an exclusive Art Talk titled “Driven by Art: Are Commissions and Co-creations the Future?” in the Art Dubai Auditorium.
The panel will feature Azu Nwagbogu, Hans Ulrich Obrist, and Dr Stephanie Rosenthal—leading voices from the African Artists’ Foundation, Serpentine, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project, respectively. Moderated by Prof Dr Thomas Girst, BMW Group’s Global Head of Cultural Engagement, the discussion will explore the growing cultural relevance of co-creation and artist commissions.
Founded in 2007, Art Dubai has evolved into the leading international art fair in the Middle East, spotlighting a diverse range of contemporary, modern, and digital galleries from over 40 countries.
Its commitment to championing underrepresented geographies and fostering cultural exchange has made it a key platform for discovery and dialogue. The fair also features educational initiatives, artist commissions, and robust programming including the Global Art Forum and the annual Digital Summit.
This year’s edition, amplified by BMW’s high-profile collaboration, underscores Art Dubai’s role as a dynamic intersection of art, innovation, and cultural engagement.
Subscribe today for the freshest car news delivered to your inbox
