An Art Car is..........
One of the major philosophies shared by creators of artcars is the general belief that there are no standards - that it is a person’s or group of persons’ unique self expression that is the most valuable attribute. Consequently there is no such thing as a ‘bad’ or ‘wrong’ artcar, each is appreciated for its individuality and perhaps that’s because in the US, Art Car artists come from all walks of life and have a wide range of beliefs and opinions.
I’ve created and driven daily, two art cars so far in my 40’s, regarding myself as a ‘self-taught visionary artist’ who was fed up of restricting her artistic expression to gallery spaces. Nevertheless I’ve always had a desire to have some formal art training and expand and deepen my understanding of art practise and the art market. Therefore I am near completion of an MA in Fine Art and Media Practise at Westminster University and it is this course of study that has catalysed my desire to enable people in my community to join me in an art car parade.
Art car artists here and abroad are therefore generally people with no particular artistic training. They are largely self-taught and self funded, though of course there are some well known artists that have also worked in the art car medium such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol who painted cars for BMW. Some ‘cartists’ do consider their art to be created as a source of income or as "professional" artworks but most people create and drive their artcars for the sheer fun of it.
Without a shadow of a doubt it has been the most powerful thing I have ever created simply because people perceive it as extraordinary – a bundle of bright, vivacious energy driven amongst the traditional car driving population.
So began a 6 month journey of hand painting with small pots of enamel paint, to give birth to the Chakra Car, Joycatcher, below. A year later I inherited the red Nissan Micra and decided the Chakra Car needed a sister. The themes are similar to both cars - the beauty of nature, the magic of the elements, my passions for dancing and drumming, yoga and meditation, masculine and feminine deities.
However the Micra is far more intricate and detailed and incorporates my love of pattern and the rhythm of black and white - night and day, yin and yang. It took me 18 months to complete - a few hours here and there each week throughout the winter and beyond. Both cars are complete with large mandalas on their bonnets to symbolise the unifying principle of life and energy.
Without doubt I feel that my Art Cars are my most successful body of work as an artist to date. Why? Because they have been seen and and had a glimpsing influence on literally millions of people. Everyday i hear the resounding mantra "look at that car!" and get the thumbs up. Rarely have I come across anyone who has not appreciated its colourful, playful nature in some form.
I feel it is my little contribution to bring more joy, beauty and fun to britain's streets. Do our cars really need to be so boring and laborious in those same old tones of silver, black, white, blue, green and red? Is life not serious enough as it is . I am in agreement that happiness is about how excited we feel in life and I am proud to be bold enough to say come on, let's play, let's laugh, let's celebrate life.......
It also means that my car has a dual purpose rather than simply being a given mode of transportation and consequently I feel more at ease using it. Indeed it gives me great pleasure to drive it and my passengers love it too. My greatest fan? Of course, its my husband, Davide - he's a complete convert. Until recently he had a short spell of driving a snazzy sports car, the Nissan ZX 500 twin turbo and noticed he really missed putting a smile on people's faces.
My Nissan Micra took part in the first ever Art Car Parade in Britain in Manchester on Saturday 7th of september 2007, created by the highly innovative arts organisation, Walk the Plank. - Below are just a few of examples of the cars in all their glory - including superb creations by artists commissioned or otherwise, mechanics, prop makers and designers and art car enthusiasts...............
