The US artist Mickalene Thomas is having a moment with a solo show at London’s Hayward Gallery (All About Love, until 5 May) and an unusual new commission: a custom car wrap for Driven Artists Racing Team (Dart Car), a women-led professional motorsports team.
Thomas created the wrap for the McLaren Artura GT4 race car, along with bespoke driving suits and hand-painted helmets. The initiative’s co-founders are the art adviser Spring McManus, the race car driver Aurora Straus and the entrepreneur Zoë Barry; Straus and Barry will be the ones actually piloting the Thomas-customised race car.
“Partnering with Mickalene Thomas is a true ‘pinch me’ moment. I simply cannot wait to race the first-ever Mickalene Thomas x McLaren Artura. This race car is making history!” exclaims Barry.
Dart Car’s first competitive race of the 2025 season will be the GT4 World Challenge America at the Sonoma Raceway (28-30 March). Vroom, vroom!