#A.R. Penck

[oldsardens]

A.R. Penck - An evening with Pam Partizan

[thunderstruck9]

A.R. Penck (German, 1939-2017), Rock I, 1984. Dispersion on canvas, 160 x 130 cm.

[guy60660]

A.R. Penck

[classic-vintage-bmw]

1991 Z1 Art Car by A. R. Penck

In 1991, the BMW Z1 became a canvas for German artist A. R. Penck, resulting in the eleventh installment of BMW’s iconic Art Car series. The Z1, a rare roadster with vertically sliding doors and a futuristic design, was already a standout with only 8,000 units produced between 1988 and 1991. Penck transformed the last Z1 produced into a rolling masterpiece, adorning its bright red body with his signature abstract symbols and stick figures. His design, inspired by prehistoric cave paintings and modern graffiti, turned the car into a dialogue between technology and primal art. Unlike other Art Cars meant for racing, Penck’s Z1 was crafted solely as an exhibition piece, never driven on roads or tracks, preserving its status as a pure artistic statement.

Penck viewed the BMW Z1 itself as a “work of art,” a product of the creativity and imagination of BMW’s engineers and designers. His approach was to challenge this technical marvel with his own visual language, a complex system of ciphers that invite viewers to decode their meaning. The car’s surface is covered with bold, black-and-white pictographs, including his famous “Matchstick Man” silhouette, alongside totemic forms and graphic icons reminiscent of Neolithic art. This fusion of high-tech automotive design and neo-primitivist imagery creates a striking contrast, making the Z1 a three-dimensional exploration of art’s relationship with technology. Penck’s work on the car reflects his fascination with mathematics, physics, and Asian calligraphy, blending intellectual rigor with raw, expressive energy.

The Z1 Art Car has since become a celebrated piece in BMW’s Art Car Collection, displayed at exhibitions like “Art Drive!” in London in 2012. Its uniqueness lies not only in Penck’s artistry but also in its status as the only convertible in the Art Car series and the last Z1 ever produced. The car’s design continues to captivate audiences, challenging them to interpret its abstract symbols while admiring the Z1’s innovative engineering, such as its removable thermoplastic panels and steel monocoque frame. As part of BMW’s ongoing commitment to merging art and mobility, Penck’s Z1 remains a testament to the power of interdisciplinary creativity, bridging the worlds of automotive design and fine art in a way that feels both timeless and avant-garde.

A. R. Penck, born Ralf Winkler in Dresden in 1939, was a self-taught artist whose career spanned decades and defied easy categorization. Emerging in East Germany, he held his first exhibition at age 17 in 1956, showcasing a precocious talent. Influenced by Picasso, Rembrandt, and prehistoric cave paintings, Penck developed a distinctive style that blended neo-primitivism with modern abstraction. His “Matchstick Man,” created in the early 1960s, became a hallmark of his work, symbolizing human struggle and communication. During the 1980s, he gained international acclaim as a leading figure in New Figuration, with his art exhibited in major Western museums. Penck’s fascination with systems—mathematics, cybernetics, and physics—infused his work with intellectual depth, making him a fitting choice for the BMW Art Car project. He passed away in 2017, leaving a legacy as one of Germany’s most innovative and enigmatic artists.

[cutie-bob]

Penck Selected Artworks

100+ Wall Art Prints, High resolution paintings

[watchdriedpaint]

N Komplex N Komplex by A. R. Penck (1979) in Pinakothek der Moderne (München)

[100-art]

100+ Very High Resolution Art Pics

[4eternal-life]

A.R. Penck  (German, 1939 -2017)

Konstruktion in den Raum hinein 2002 Acrylic on canvas. 90 x 70 cm

Auction 1187  / © Lempertz

[sweetie--cat]

Penck Selected Artworks

100+ Wall Art Prints, High resolution paintings

[sweet-y-heart]

Penck Selected Artworks

100+ Wall Art Prints, High resolution paintings

[snuggles-doll]

Penck Selected Artworks

100+ Wall Art Prints, High resolution paintings

[oldsardens]

A.R. Penck - Untitled

[thunderstruck9]

A.R. Penck (German, 1939-2017), Kleines Weltbild [Small World View], 1992. Acrylic on canvas, 50 x 65 cm.

[missy-co]

Penck Selected Artworks

100+ Wall Art Prints, High resolution paintings

[darling-honey]

Penck Selected Artworks

100+ Wall Art Prints, High resolution paintings

[cutie-bob]

Penck Selected Artworks

100+ Wall Art Prints, High resolution paintings