The worlds of automotive excellence and contemporary art will come together at Art Dubai 2025, as Andy Warhol’s legendary BMW M1 Art Car makes its long-awaited debut. The event, running from April 17 to 20, promises to be a standout feature of this year’s cultural calendar.
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the BMW Art Car Collection, the BMW M1 Art Car — transformed by the visionary Andy Warhol — will take center stage in an exclusive showcase at the region’s premier art fair.
6 kg of paint and 28 minutes later
Instead of covering the prototype BMW M1 with quotations from pop culture, Warhol reached for his paintbrush and left his own, very personal signature on the car. With broad brushstrokes, 6 kilograms of paint, and just 28 minutes, Warhol covered the car in colours and textures that still clearly reveal his artistic gestures today.
Warhol’s bold and expressive strokes turned the BMW M1 into a moving canvas, capturing the essence of speed, dynamism, and artistic revolution. “I love that car. It has turned out better than the artwork,” Andy Warhol said, reflecting on his creation.
Andy Warhol’s Art Car raced for the first and only time at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1979. Numbered 76, the M1 was driven by Manfred Winkelhock from Germany, as well as Hervé Poulain and Marcel Mignot from France, finishing sixth overall and second in its class.
Karim-Christian Haririan, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East, said: “The BMW Art Car Collection embodies our commitment to creativity, innovation, and cultural expression. Andy Warhol’s BMW M1 Art Car is a true masterpiece that bridges the worlds of art and automotive excellence, and we are thrilled to bring this iconic work to Art Dubai 2025.”
“Art and culture have been part of the DNA of the BMW Group for over 50 years. That’s why I’m proud to see BMW Middle East not just participating in the region’s cultural scene, but actively shaping it,” added Dr. Thomas Girst, Head of Cultural Engagement, BMW Group.
This exhibition forms part of the BMW Art Car World Tour — a global initiative celebrating 50 years of collaboration between BMW and some of the world’s most celebrated artists.
World Art Dubai, the region’s most accessible retail art fair, returns from April 17–20, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), bringing together over 400 artists and galleries from more than 65 countries. The 11th edition promises four days of art, entertainment, and a platform for up-and-coming artists to reach an exciting new global audience.