FERRARI IN ART – THE SPORTING LEGACY

FERRARI IN ART – THE SPORTING LEGACY

A special exhibition comprising of 25 exclusive paintings celebrating over seventy years of Ferrari was officially unveiled last night at the Royal Automobile Club.

‘Ferrari in Art – The Sporting Legacy’ is a collection of unique artwork celebrating everything Ferrari. The cars, the drivers, the history and most importantly of all, the passion. Ferrari has an unrivalled position in the automotive world.  The name itself conjures up the very essence of beauty, design, speed, style … and of course winning. The new series of works by international artist Mark Dickens in collaboration with renowned F1 photographer Keith Sutton encompasses all the features that make Ferrari so special. 

Keith Sutton tracked down all the influential figures associated with Ferrari to get involved. For each painting, drivers, owners, fans and motorsport personalities were asked to express in their own handwritten words what ‘Ferrari’ means to them. Over 125 handwritten (never been seen before) quotes were obtained directly from the individuals and transferred on to the 25 pieces of artwork which artist Mark Dickens worked tirelessly to create. The outcome is a unique, contemporary and historical collection of Ferrari art.

Several notable guests attended the launch event, having kindly contributed to the artworks. One of which was Ross Brawn OBE, former Ferrari F1 Team Principal. Speaking of his time at Ferrari, Brawn said “It was a very special period in my life. Ferrari is very much a team spirit. I love the history of Ferrari, it wasn’t manufactured, it was organic, Enzo Ferrari didn’t sit down and say we are going to create this empire, and this is how we are going to do it, everything just evolved to be the world-famous car racing team and car manufacturer that it is today. To be a small part of that is very special. I’ve been lucky enough to stand on the podium at Monza when Ferrari have won and there’s no better sensation than that. Seeing the huge crowds and the emotion and passion of the fans”.

Brenda Vernor reflected on her time as the Personal Assistant to Enzo Ferrari for 20 years “It was the best years of my life. I was the only woman, an English woman working with 199 men from drivers to mechanics. You couldn’t do that now”.

Seeing his quote adorning the Enzo Ferrari artwork Uberto Selvatico Estense, the President of The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari said “It’s unbelievable and makes me very proud to see this. For me it’s a dream, to be part of the Ferrari legend is something incredible”.

Speaking about the project Keith Sutton said “It’s taken over 9 months to obtain the 125 handwritten quotes from the various personalities associated with Ferrari; however, everyone that I approached was genuinely enthusiastic and delighted to take part in this unique project”.

British artist Mark Dickens is world renowned in F1, his work can be found in the Royal collections of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to numerous Grand Prix circuits and collections around the world. He was commissioned by Bernie Ecclestone in 2011 to be the official F1 artist creating a painting for every Grand Prix. Dickens artwork involves collaborations with people and places which take the visual format of mixed media, building layers of photographic transfers, paper, gold leaf, fabric, paint and handwritten texts set in resin. The various textures of the composition are very tactile.

It’s the second time Mark Dickens and Keith Sutton have collaborated together. In 2014 they created ‘World Champions in Art’ which comprised of 32 paintings, one for each Formula 1 World Champion. The collection was purchased by four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel.

As before the artwork is being sold as a complete collection and there are some interested parties already. Whilst the exhibition will not be touring, a limited-edition box set of signed prints will be available for others to buy.  One of the box sets will be presented to Jackie Stewart OBE who clinched the World Sportscar Championship for Ferrari in 1967 driving alongside Chris Amon, and whose quote features in the collection.  Sir Jackie will auction his set off at the Australia F1 Grand Prix to raise money for his charity ‘Race Against Dementia’. 

Reading the names of those that have contributed to the artwork is like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Ferrari – from the Designers who helped create the dream to World Champions who realised the dream, – from Team Principals who guided the dream to Collectors and Owners who live the dream – from Engineers who maintained the dream to the die-hard fans who love the dream! All of which provides a fascinating, historic and personal insight into Ferrari.