Celebrating Creativity in Africa: Julie Mehretu’s Vision for the 20th BMW Art Car at Tadias Magazine

Julie Mehretu and her BMW Art Car #20 at the world premiere at the Centre Pompidou, Paris, May 21, 2024. (Photo: Courtesy of BMW)

Tadias Magazine

By Selam Amare

Updated: June 19th, 2024

Paris (TADIAS/Habeshaview) — The unveiling of the 20th BMW Art Car in Paris last week was a significant event, with representatives from Tadias magazine and Habeshaview in attendance. This collaboration between BMW and world-renowned New York-based, Ethiopia-born artist Julie Mehretu represented a major milestone in the Art Cars series and a broader cultural initiative designed to foster creativity across Africa.

Julie Mehretu, one of the most influential artists of our time, has made an indelible mark on the global art scene. “Julie Mehretu’s vision for a racing car is an extraordinarily strong contribution to our BMW Art Cars series,” stated Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “Julie Mehretu has created more than an amazing Art Car. Her ideas provided the impetus for us to expand the cultural commitment of our Art Cars to promote the creativity of young artists in Africa.”

Unveiling of the BMW Art Car #20 designed by Julie Mehretu at the world premiere at the Centre Pompidou, Paris, 21 May 2024. (Photo: Courtesy of BMW)

BMW Art Car #20 by artist Julie Mehretu. (Photo: Tereza Mundilová © BMW AG)

Julie Mehretu signs her BMW Art Car #20 at the world premiere on May 21, 2024, at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. (Photo: Courtesy of BMW)

World premiere of the BMW Art Car #20 by Julie Mehretu, Centre Pompidou, Paris, May 21, 2024. Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG and Julie Mehretu. (Photo: Andre Josselin © BMW AG)

Julie Mehretu and Hervé Poulain (initiator of the BMW Art Car Collection and former French motorsports racing driver) Photo: Courtesy of BMW

World premiere of the BMW Art Car #20 by Julie Mehretu, Centre Pompidou, Paris, May 21, 2024. F.l.t.r.: Oliver Zipse (Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG), Mehret Mandefro (producer, writer and co-founder of the Realness Institute), Julie Mehretu, Koyo Kouoh (Member of the BMW Art Car Jury and Executive Director and Chief Curator, Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town) and Laurent Le Bon (President of the Centre Pompidou).

Fostering Creative Collaboration in Africa

The project aspires to create a collaborative space for artists and filmmakers across the continent, facilitating exchanges of ideas and fostering the development of new pathways toward a just civic future. This initiative includes a series of PanAfrican Translocal Media Workshops, organized by Emmy-nominated producer, writer, and co-founder of the Realness Institute, Mehret Mandefro. These workshops will tour various African cities throughout 2025 and 2026, strengthening the media ecosystem in Africa and culminating in a major exhibition at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town. The PanAfrican Translocal Workshop series will visit Dakar (Senegal), Marrakech (Morocco), Kigali (Rwanda), Lagos (Nigeria), and Cape Town (South Africa). The outcomes of these workshops will be showcased alongside the 20th BMW Art Car at the Zeitz Museum in the first half of 2026.

Ethiopia still on the list

Given Julie Mehretu and Mehret Mandefro’s Ethiopian heritage, the question arose about the Art Car’s absence from Ethiopia. “That was the intention, it was always going to be Addis Ababa,” Mehretu explained. “Then things got complicated. Ethiopia is still on the list if we can make it happen. We would love to do something in Addis; it’s just so complicated at the moment, and that is sad for us Ethiopians.”

Julie’s “performative painting” for the Art Car manifests kinetically, transitioning from canvas to the race car. The artwork evolves with the car, only reaching completion at the finish line. This unique challenge required a balance between artistic vision and technical regulations, as traditional painting or airbrushing could affect the car’s aerodynamics. “We had 3D renderings, digital models, and a one-fifth scale maquette in the studio,” Julie explained. “We printed onto foils, applied them to the maquette, and made numerous adjustments. This digital process allowed the car to ‘inhale’ the painting and travel through it.”

BMW Art Car #20 by artist Julie Mehretu. (Photo: André Josselin © BMW AG)

“Peace (ሰላም) is essential for any progress”

Julie Mehretu’s work often addresses socially conscious themes, including social justice and activism. Reflecting on the current state of the world, she expressed, “We keep repeating patterns of conflict and inequality. It’s ludicrous that in the 21st century, we still face starvation and war. We all strive for liberation, but peace (ሰላም) is essential for any progress.”

By innovatively reinventing the wheel, Julie highlights the vital role of artists in society. They contribute to the overall health, development, and well-being of our communities, providing joy, interaction, and inspiration, while also critiquing political, economic, and social systems to drive social progress.

BMW Art Car #20 with artist Julie Mehretu and BMW factory drivers Sheldon van der Linde, Rene Rast and Robin Frijns (f.l.t.r.). Photo: Tereza Mundilová © BMW AG

Reflecting on her creative process with the Art Car, Julie shared, “This experience outside of painting allowed my imagination to explore new possibilities. The idea of a vehicle moving through a painting and transforming it was profound. It taught me to complicate my paintings further and significantly impacted my work.”

Her advice to future generations of artists is clear: “Focus on your work, and it will take care of you. There is no formula for success. Read everything, pay attention to the world beyond algorithms, and be committed to evolving your craft.”

Julie Mehretu is a source of immense pride for Ethiopia, an asset to the continent, and an inspiration for young artists in the Ethiopian diaspora for generations to come.

—
Selam Amare is a reporter based in the UK.

Julie Mehretu’s BMW Art Car Makes its World Premiere in Paris

Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.

Tadias Magazine

Celebrating Creativity in Africa: Julie Mehretu’s Vision for the 20th BMW Art Car

Search