The 9th BMW Art Car

Matazo Kayama's design for his BMW Art Car is inspired by the snow, moon, and cherry blossom of traditional Japanese artworks, reinterpreted through the modern medium of airbrushing. Delicate blue shading on the car's silver body creates a whole world of light and motion. The airbrushed part of the design is complemented by the techniques of “kirigane” and “arare”, both of which involve applying wafer-thin pieces of silver, gold, and aluminium leaf to the car. Kayama thus managed to create the perfect harmony of precision, clarity, and ornamentation, making his Art Car a homage to Japanese artistic craftsmanship.

Matazo Kayama (1927–2004) was a key figure in “Nihonga”, a painting style that combines traditional Japanese art with more modern techniques. Born in Kyoto in 1927, Kayama studied painting and traditional Japanese art, exhibiting his works for the first time in 1949. By integrating contemporary styles into traditional Japanese art, he helped new forms of expression achieve a breakthrough in Japan. Alongside painting, he also decorated temples, created interior designs, and produced jewellery and other works in metal. Kayama died in 2004.

Matazo Kayama's Art Car was intended solely as an exhibition piece and has never been driven on the road or in a race. This allowed Kayama to make use of impressive but delicate Japanese metal leaf techniques in his design.