13 Volkswagen Arteon Turned Into Works Of Art
In conjunction with the recent launch of the Volkswagen Arteon R-Line, the Arteon is the canvas for some works of art. This artistic tune-up is a collaboration by Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) and art powerhouse Wei-Ling Gallery, featuring 13 talented Malaysian artists.
As much as we had hoped that it is the actual car used to create works of art, this collaboration uses scale models of the Arteon. But this will offer collectors and art enthusiasts the unique opportunity of owning unique masterpieces created by the artists, and it wouldn’t take up parking space. The art pieces will be sold to collectors via an auction, and the proceeds will be channelled to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA), so it is also for a good cause.
The Volkswagen Arteon is the brand’s flagship sedan, offering a combination of avant-garde design and dynamic handling. Its name reflects its appearance i.e. ‘Art’ to describe the fastback’s harmonious lines and evocative design, while ‘eon’ identifies it as a premium Volkswagen model.
The Arteon project is an extension of the recent “18@8 Turning Points” exhibition by Wei-Ling Gallery. The exhibition was curated with this idea in mind and explores the 13 artists’ pasts through different philosophical, technical and aesthetic approaches, in the form of thought-provoking art pieces that reflected this ideology. The 13 artists are: Anurendra Jegadeva, Cheng Yen Pheng, Chin Kong Yee, Cheong Kiet Cheng, Choy Chun Wei, Cheong Kim Chiew, Chen Wei Meng, Hamidi Hadi, Ivan Lam, Rajinder Singh, Sean Lean, Wong Chee Meng and Yau Bee Ling.
Prominent Malaysian artists, Anurendra Jegadeva and Ivan Lam, had recently represented Malaysia at the 58th Venice Art Biennale.
Linked to the artists’ original pieces from Turning Points, the Arteon art pieces are evocative and bold. Anurendra Jegadeva’s Arteon was inspired by ‘A Garland for My Father’, presented as a portrait of his father surrounded by light boxes, featuring archival photos of family members and their Volkswagen Beetle. Meanwhile, Wong Chee Meng’s ‘The Yearning Realm’, with a unique painting approach in which layers of images are juxtaposed to form an illusion, reflected onto an Arteon through the same use of red and blue lenses.
“As a group, Volkswagen continues to promote worldwide support for arts and culture, and we have had collaborations in the past with local talents. Wei-Ling is a household name in the art fraternity here and abroad, and we are thrilled not only to be supporting this effort to deepen people’s understanding to the influence of art in our lives with our latest product, but to also be doing our part for a good cause in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Erik Winter, the Managing Director of VPCM who shared his enthusiasm on the project. He was glad that the arrival of the Arteon R-Line and this collaboration presented the opportunity for the brand to engage with art fans.
“The Arteon is a masterpiece on wheels, and this message really has been translated in every art piece. The dedication of these artists and the thought process that has gone through transforming the scale models into such amazing pieces of art, each with their own narrative, is nothing short of inspiring,” he added.
Founder and Gallery Director Lim Wei-Ling echoed this sentiment. “It is indeed heartening and encouraging to see that Volkswagen is so supportive of the arts both internationally and on a local level. In a country like Malaysia where exposure to the arts is limited, it is through initiatives and collaborations like these that we are able to create more awareness on the important roles that artists play. Artists are the observers of our times – documenting, capturing and enshrining the times through which they live, within their works.”
“Each work of art created for the ‘Turning Points’ exhibition has been a personal reflection by the 13 Malaysian artists involved in this project. The stories encased within the works are inspiring, cathartic and moving. In collaborating with the Arteon, these artists have individually created a unique art car that is and will be highly collectible, as they are ‘one of their kind’ in the world. We are honoured and delighted to be working with Volkswagen on the auction of these Arteon art cars to raise both awareness and funds for BCWA,” she said.
All 13 Arteon sculptures will be available for online viewing and bidding at www.arteonartcar.com or at Wei-Ling Contemporary at The Gardens Mall. Call 03-2282 8323 to make a viewing appointment with the gallery. Bidding will close on 1 October 2020 at 5:00 pm.
The all-new VW Arteon R-Line is priced at RM225,490. However, the current sales tax break reduces the recommended retail price to RM220,043.28 (valid until 31 December 2020). The Arteon comes with 3 years free maintenance, 5 years unlimited mileage warranty and 5 years roadside assistance.
