The intersection of art and automobiles has always been a fascinating one. The sleek lines and curves of cars, the speed, their colors and textures, and the engineering that goes into creating them, have been a source of inspiration for artists for many years beginning with the birth of Futurism.
The founding father of this artistic movement was Italian artist Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, who affirmed in his Manifesto: “We declare that the splendor of the world has been enriched by a new beauty: the beauty of speed. A racing automobile with its bonnet adorned with great tubes like serpents with explosive breath...a roaring motor car which seems to run on machine-gun fire, is more beautiful than the Victory of Samothrace.” This was a very bold statement for 1909 but here we are, attending our version of the Air Show that was held at the Grand Palais from 1910-1951. In October 2022, we had the pleasure to display digital art next to a mix of cutting edge, innovative cars, and classic vintage cars.
Sleeping with Art brought together 80 artists who created automotive-inspired artworks in many forms, such as traditional painting, prints, and physical sculptures, to digital art, projections, and so on. The event aims to create a global community of creatives who share their work and ideas with each other, creating a collaborative environment that fosters creativity and innovation at the intersection of art and the automotive industry.
The event was held at the prestigious Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire, where it ran for two days in late October 2022. The exhibit featured a diverse range of artworks, including a series of photographs by Natalie Christensen, depicting compositions of vintage cars in the American Southwest that was exhibited right at the entrance. The show also displayed a white car with drawings by hand by British artist Vic Lee, inspired by calligraphy.
One of the highlights of the event was an impressive exhibition where Jaguar, Land Rover, Bentley Motors, Morgan Motors, Alpine, CALLUM Design, Polestar, Aston Martin, Heritage Trust, Arash Motor Company, BAC and Raven Cars showcased their cars.
Sleeping with Art was an opportunity for artists to network and connect with each other under the intersection of art and automobiles. The event was attended by artists from all over the world, giving them the chance to meet and exchange ideas. This kind of collaboration is what Exchange Art is all about, and it was clear from the energy and enthusiasm at the event that the artists were inspired by each other’s work.
