Los Angeles – On 21 February 2025, the city of angels played host to an extraordinary confluence of design, engineering, and artistic brilliance. At Hollywood’s legendary Chateau Marmont, Aston Martin’s latest flagship sports car, the Vanquish, took center stage as the muse for “Reflections of Speed,” a monumental immersive light sculpture by renowned British-American artist Anthony James.
A Vision Realized in Light and Form
The Vanquish, introduced in 2024 as the pinnacle of Aston Martin’s storied front-engine sports car range, has long been celebrated as a masterpiece of automotive art. Now, it has transcended its role as a vehicle to become the living inspiration behind a 5.4-metre by 2.6-metre sculpture. Crafted over 12 painstaking months at James’ Los Angeles studio, “Reflections of Speed” employs the artist’s signature blend of light, alchemy, and modern materials to capture the very essence of the car’s design. Every meticulously engineered curve and subtle detail of the Vanquish is reimagined in this work, offering viewers a dynamic interplay between movement and stillness, technology and art.
Engineering Meets Artistic Ingenuity
Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer at Aston Martin, encapsulated the ethos behind the collaboration:
“Vanquish is more than just a car — it’s a sculpture in motion. Vanquish expresses true contemporary elegance through its proportional perfection, toned physique, broad stance, fluid curves and a striking silhouette. There is great passion in creating pure excitement, and this new Vanquish is a culmination of fearless creativity and human ingenuity. With its form shaped to evoke emotion, Vanquish – like any piece of art – aims to inspire and captivate.”
This sentiment is woven throughout every facet of the project. Aston Martin’s relentless pursuit of innovation in engineering finds its mirror in James’ avant-garde approach to light and reflection. The sculpture’s unified form—an impressive 6,000-pound behemoth—stands as a testament to the artist’s dedication to fusing the technical with the transcendent.
A Storied Collaboration of Design and Craftsmanship
For Anthony James, the project represents a major milestone. Known for his transformative light sculptures that echo the infinite cosmos, James has long been inspired by the interplay of automotive aesthetics and artistic expression. “This collaboration with Aston Martin is my most ambitious, technically advanced, and groundbreaking work to date. Aston Martin itself is an art form, and in this collaboration, my goal is to celebrate the car from every perspective, seamlessly integrating it into my sculpture so that the two become one singular object,” he explained.
This is not the first time Aston Martin has ventured into the realm of art. The luxury marque has a rich history of partnering with celebrated artists—from photographer Rankin to collage artist Robi Walters and Brazilian pop artist Romero Britto. “Reflections of Speed” follows in the footsteps of previous collaborations, including James’ earlier work displayed at Q New York, further cementing the bond between Aston Martin’s engineering prowess and the timeless nature of artistic endeavor.
An Enduring Legacy of Timeless Beauty
In a world where trends come and go, the new Vanquish—and its artistic embodiment—promises to endure as a symbol of innovation and elegance. Its design, which marries classic refinement with modern edge, reflects Aston Martin’s unwavering commitment to timeless beauty and uncompromising quality. Much like the great works of art that have inspired generations, the Vanquish stands as an enduring icon, a masterpiece destined to captivate hearts for decades to come.
Following its exclusive debut at Chateau Marmont during the weekend of Frieze Los Angeles, “Reflections of Speed” will soon be open to the public at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The work is set to be offered for sale later this year, with all proceeds supporting both the museum and the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund—an initiative dedicated to aiding artists and arts workers affected by recent devastating fires.
In this harmonious convergence of automotive excellence and artistic innovation, Aston Martin and Anthony James invite us all to witness the transformative power of art—a journey where every reflection, every beam of light, and every curve of design tells a story of passion, precision, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.
