Johannesburg’s creative calendar once again finds one of its most elegant intersections of art and mobility as Lexus South Africa returns for a fourth consecutive year as official vehicle partner to the RMB Latitudes Art Fair. Taking place from 22–24 May 2026 at Shepstone Gardens, the Fair has become a defining platform for contemporary African art, and this year it continues to deepen its reputation as a space where culture, dialogue and exchange converge in vivid, living form.
At the centre of this year’s collaboration is the all-electric Lexus RZ, chosen as the hero vehicle for the Fair’s complimentary chauffeur service between Old Eds and Shepstone Gardens. In motion, the RZ becomes more than transport. It is positioned as a quiet architectural presence on wheels, embodying refined performance, near-silent movement and a human-centric driving experience that mirrors the Fair’s 2026 theme, Oasis. Supporting the experience, a curated fleet of additional Lexus models ensures seamless guest movement throughout the weekend, reinforcing the brand’s signature blend of precision and hospitality.
“At Lexus, we believe design should be felt, not just seen,” said Tasneem Lorgat. “Our continued partnership with RMB Latitudes Art Fair reflects a shared commitment to meaningful, human-centred experiences, exceptional craftsmanship and platforms that nurture long-term cultural value. Through the all-electric Lexus RZ and our collaboration with artist Adele van Heerden, we are able to express electrification not merely as advanced technology but as an emotional, immersive experience, where art, motion and design converge in quiet, considered harmony.”
That convergence becomes even more tangible through Lexus South Africa’s collaboration with Adele van Heerden, whose distinctive visual language is being translated into bespoke vehicle wraps across two Lexus RZ chauffeur vehicles. These moving artworks transform the simple act of transit into an extension of the exhibition itself, blurring the boundary between gallery space and city streets.
Van Heerden’s work introduces luminous gradients and shifting colour fields that evoke water, light and electric charge, alongside refined abstraction that mirrors the fluidity and silent strength of electric energy. As the vehicles move through Johannesburg, the compositions subtly evolve, responding to motion and perspective, creating an ever-changing visual dialogue between artwork and environment. The result is a minimal yet immersive aesthetic that aligns closely with Lexus’ design philosophy, where restraint and emotional resonance coexist.
For the artist, the collaboration offers a new dimension of accessibility and interpretation. “I deeply value opportunities that explore accessibility in how art is experienced and how collaboration can expand and translate my visual language into new contexts,” van Heerden said. “Seeing these works wrapped around the Lexus RZ is particularly exciting, as motion introduces an element of animation that continuously reshapes the compositions as the vehicle moves through space. I’m thankful to Lexus for the collaboration as it allows me to highlight the importance of safeguarding South Africa’s water systems. I believe all water bodies are interconnected and that we need to carry a more holistic, mindful awareness of water in our daily movement, including how and how often we travel.”
This year’s Fair theme, Oasis, resonates deeply with both partners. It reflects on creative flourishing in unexpected places, drawing inspiration from Johannesburg itself, a city built without natural water sources yet sustained through ingenuity, resilience and constant reinvention. In this context, the Lexus RZ’s electric stillness becomes symbolic, offering a contrasting sense of calm within urban motion, where silence becomes its own kind of luxury.
The partnership also extends beyond movement and visual storytelling. In collaboration with Motherland, Lexus will offer complimentary beverages at the Old Eds parking area, ensuring guests are welcomed into a curated hospitality experience even before their journey begins. It is a subtle but intentional gesture, reinforcing the idea that luxury is not confined to destination, but present in every transition along the way.
By continuing its support of RMB Latitudes Art Fair for a fourth year, Lexus South Africa reinforces a long-term commitment to cultural ecosystems that prioritise sustainability, equitable access and enduring visibility for artists from Africa and its diaspora. In doing so, the partnership moves beyond sponsorship into something more considered, a shared exploration of how art, design and innovation can shape more connected ways of experiencing the world.
For Lexus, the road to Shepstone Gardens becomes more than a route. It becomes an exhibition in motion, where electrification, creativity and human experience converge in a quiet, luminous rhythm that lingers long after the journey ends.
