Aston Martin’s flagship Vanquish has been reimagined as a monumental light sculpture, created by renowned British-American artist Anthony James. Titled Reflections of Speed, the 5.4-meter-long immersive installation was unveiled at Hollywood’s legendary Chateau Marmont, marking its debut ahead of Frieze Los Angeles, one of the world’s leading contemporary art fairs.
CARS
The sculpture, which took over a year to complete in James’ Los Angeles studio, captures the essence of speed, precision, and elegance – all qualities embodied by Aston Martin’s V12-powered Vanquish. Using his signature interplay of light and geometry, James transforms the car’s fluid proportions and sculpted form into a multi-dimensional artwork that blurs the boundaries between automotive engineering and fine art.
First introduced in 2024, the latest Aston Martin Vanquish has been widely recognized as an automotive masterpiece, defined by sculptural lines, a commanding stance, and impeccable craftsmanship. Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, describes the model as “a sculpture in motion,” making its translation into a physical light installation a natural evolution.
“Vanquish expresses true contemporary elegance through its proportional perfection, toned physique, broad stance, fluid curves, and a striking silhouette,” said Reichman. “With its form shaped to evoke emotion, Vanquish, like any piece of art, aims to inspire and captivate.”
James, whose mirror-and-light-based sculptures explore themes of infinity and spatial perception, took on the challenge of merging art and engineering. His work often references cosmic imagery, using materials such as glass, LED lighting, and geometric forms to create reflections that extend endlessly. Weighing over 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg), Reflections of Speed is a single, unified structure, designed to make the car and sculpture inseparable elements of the same artistic expression.
James’ fascination with cars and motion dates back to his childhood, where the motorsports culture of the 1970s and 1980s shaped his artistic vision. This latest installation continues his long-standing exploration of automotive-inspired sculptures, which have been displayed in galleries and public spaces worldwide.
“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,” James explained. “Reflections of Speed represents a major breakthrough in my career, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in automotive-inspired sculptures.”
Aston Martin has a long history of collaborating with visionary artists, from photographer Rankin to collage artist Robi Walters and Brazilian pop artist Romero Britto. James’ latest work follows his previous project with Q New York, Aston Martin’s luxury flagship space on Park Avenue.
Following it’s unveiling the sculpture is set to be displayed to the public at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. It is intended to be offered for sale later this year, with all proceeds supporting the museum and good causes supporting those impacted by the devastating Los Angeles fires.
As the most powerful Vanquish ever produced, the Aston Martin flagship represents a fusion of performance and aesthetics, a quality that translates seamlessly into James’ work. Whether in motion or as a light-filled sculpture, Vanquish continues to defy convention, proving that true design transcends disciplines.
