Introduction to Art Basel Qatar
Munich/Doha. BMW has been a leading global partner of Art Basel for over twenty years, championing innovative artistic expressions. To celebrate the inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar, scheduled from February 3 to 7, 2026, BMW will showcase the famous art car by David Hockney (1995) in Doha. This event coincides with the BMW Art Car World Tour and will include an opening reception at the BMW Lounge, highlighting the interaction between contemporary art, innovation, and mobility.
The Importance of Hockney’s Art Car
As part of its commitment to Art Basel worldwide, BMW continues to support the VIP car service at the fair. David Hockney, an iconic figure in the art world, stated: “I thought it would be a good idea to show the car as if you could see inside.”
On this occasion, Hockney’s art car will be displayed in the famous Sahat Wadi Msheireb square. The car features a unique design that offers an X-ray-like perspective, showcasing its interior, occupants, and movement.
Exploring the BMW Lounge
BMW Lounge at Art Basel Qatar 2026. The BMW Lounge at M7 will be open to visitors during the official exhibition hours. It features a miniature version of the BMW art car collection, allowing guests to gain carefully curated insights into BMW’s long-standing commitment to contemporary art.
An opening reception will include remarks from artist Christoph Niemann, Tom Eccles (Executive Director, Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College), and Prof Dr Thomas Girst (Head of Cultural Engagement, BMW Group). The speakers will discuss the ongoing dialogue between contemporary art, automotive innovation, and the cultural legacy represented by Hockney and the BMW art car collection.
About David Hockney and His Art Car
The 14th BMW Art Car: David Hockney, 1995. Born in Bradford, England, in 1937, David Hockney is a central figure in contemporary art. His art car radically reinterprets automotive design by essentially turning the car inside out. The design reveals the anatomy of the car and its occupants: the outline of the driver appears on the door, while Hockney’s dachshund, Stanley, is depicted on the back seat. Stylized engine components adorn the hood, complemented by undulating green fields that evoke landscapes and movement. Notably, this art car has never been driven on public roads or in competitions.
The BMW Art Car World Tour
The BMW Art Car World Tour. Following the successful launch of the BMW Art Car World Tour in 2025, which showcased Andy Warhol’s BMW art car #4 in Dubai, BMW further extends its commitment to cultural dialogue by bringing Hockney’s masterpiece to Doha. This initiative strengthens the relationship between contemporary art and automotive innovation throughout the region.
The BMW art car collection has provided a platform for artists over the past fifty years to engage with automobiles as canvases for artistic expression. The collection includes works by notable figures such as Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, Jeff Koons, and Julie Mehretu, representing a wide range of contemporary art history.
BMW’s Cultural Commitment
The BMW Art Car Collection. The initiative was born from the vision of French race car driver and art dealer Hervé Poulain and BMW’s motorsport director Jochen Neerpasch. It has become a cornerstone of BMW’s cultural engagement. Over the years, the collection has expanded to include contributions from artists like Frank Stella and Robert Rauschenberg.
BMW’s commitment to culture transcends the art car collection, with over a hundred initiatives across various artistic fields, including music, film, and design. This commitment fosters creativity and innovation on a global scale, as demonstrated by the success of the BMW Art Car World Tour.
History of BMW’s Legendary Art Cars
BMW Group’s cultural engagement initiatives can be followed on Instagram at @BMWGroupCulture.
