It’s a Wrap: Where Engineering Meets Art

Posted on 5 November, 2020

Some cars are so beautifully designed they transcend transport to become works of art that wouldn’t be out of place in an art gallery.

This is a concept explored by DESIGN Canberra and its partners through its annual DESIGN Canberra Car Wrap competition.

Originally conceived by DESIGN Canberra’s founding partner Rolfe Classic BMW, this year’s competition invited local designers to wrap their art around four luxury BMW models.

“We share a passion for design excellence with DESIGN Canberra, which makes our partnership the perfect fit. It’s exciting for us to provide this opportunity to local designers and to see the creativity and thoughtfulness applied to the winning designs,” said Martine Pekarsky, Marketing Manager for Rolf Classic BMW.

Rolfe Classic is partnering with Midnight Hotel, Autograph Collection, the University of Canberra and ROJO Customs on this unique competition, featuring four distinct categories.

On Wednesday 4 November at a DESIGN Canberra Festival event held at the National Arboretum, Canberra, the four winners were announced and the brand-new BMW models with their unique and individual artworks unveiled.

“This year the designers celebrated the beauty of the natural and built environments of Canberra and hope for the future, through their art. I continue to be inspired and amazed by the artists and designers in our community,” says Rachael Coghlan, CEO of Craft ACT and Artistic Director of DESIGN Canberra 2020.

This year’s winners are:

Cassie Blanco – Urban Design (university students)

Cassie’s exterior design for the BMW i8 Roadster incorporates Canberra’s urban identity, road structure and the car’s prominent features.

“Canberra is known around Australia for its plentiful roundabouts,” explains Cassie. “I wanted to create a map design that showcased all the roundabouts in Canberra, it was a game of dot-to-dot, to unveil this unique, roundabout map design that you can see on the car doors.”

“The research that went into this design, in conjunction with my design background produced something truly unique. The design intrigues—it connects Canberra and the car. The placement of the design compliments the natural structure of the car.”

Toby from Blue Gum Community School – The Bush Capital (students)

Toby’s winning design for the BMW X7 is inspired by nature, bird droppings and the rich history of Canberra’s natural environment.

“Where there are trees, there is urban camouflage,” says Toby.

Sarah Annand (Oat Studio) – Making in the City of Design (Craft ACT members)

Sarah’s aesthetic is inspired by her life-long fascination with architecture.

“My design for the car wrap was influenced by my love of architecture and the built environment, which informs my creative journey as a photographer and textile designer,” says Sarah.

“I’m thrilled to win in this category—it was exciting to apply my work to this unique design opportunity.”

Jodie Cunningham – Canberra Icons (Open category)

 Artist Jodie’s winning design, Canberra Futures – Turn Around, is a symbolic luck charm for the Canberra community.

“I believe that artworks like these in a public space have a role in providing hope to the community and I feel privileged to be part of Design Canberra again.

My design, Canberra Futures – Turn Around uses symbols of renewable energy and urban design including the hexagon, flower and drop shapes from the Marion Mahoney and Walter Burley Griffin 1911 Plans for Canberra. This car wrap design provides hope that is part of our communities Turn Around, ” said Jodie.

Rachael Coghlan said the competition has once again highlighted Canberra’s impressive and diverse designers.

“I congratulate our clever and talented winning designers who represent the flourishing design community of Canberra. Thank you to Rolfe Classic BMW as the founding partners of this fast growing festival and this competition. With the ongoing support of all our valued sponsors and partners we will continue to grow the DESIGN Canberra Festival and celebrate our local designers and makers,” said Rachael.

Canberrans and interstate visitors will have the opportunity to view the four BMW cars with the winning designs at signature events throughout the festival from 9–29 November.

For more information on the DESIGN Canberra Festival visit DESIGN Canberra Festival.

Photography: 5 Foot Photography

HerCanberra is a proud supporter of DESIGN Canberra 2020.