Emerging Middle Eastern Artist Designs Original Artwork Race Car Livery

VUSE* AND McLAREN RACING MARK WORLD FIRST AHEAD OF 2021 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX

ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- An emerging artist has had her work spotlighted for the world to see, featured on one of the fastest-moving canvases on earth.

McLaren Racing has today unveiled a one-off livery ahead of the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2021, working with long-standing partner Vuse, the number one global vape brand** to give creative control of the livery to an up-and-coming, female, UAE-based artist.

The design of McLaren Racing's 2021 livery for the Abu Dhabi race marks the first time a piece of original art has appeared on a livery during a Grand Prix and celebrates the first time a female artist from the Middle East has been given this kind of opportunity. The artist, Rabab Tantawy, has used her passion for union, community, and heritage to inspire and inform the artwork for the livery, incorporating her Nubian Series*** with McLaren Racing's iconic papaya and blue colourway.

Driven by her love of art, Rabab taught herself different artistry techniques, ranging from traditional mediums like oil painting to modern approaches such as spray-paints. Featuring Rabab's Nubian figures, the livery artwork represents togetherness and 'the world as one' – two themes Rabab is passionate about exploring in her work both on and off the canvas.

Working with the assistance of automotive media designer, Davide Virdis, Rabab's work on the livery forms part of Vuse's recently announced Driven by Change initiative, which sees grassroots creative talent given unparalleled opportunities in motorsport to showcase their work.

Rabab Tantawy comments: "Never would I have imagined being given an opportunity like this. Coming from a family of racing fans, seeing one of my original artworks racing on track is one of the most incredible things to happen in my career – and an even more amazing feat being the first female, Middle Eastern artist to do so."

"Providing opportunities and platforms for unestablished artists in the Middle East is something I'm passionate about. Being named the first creative in Vuse's Driven by Change initiative hopefully marks the first of many examples of up-and-coming creative talent in motorsport showcasing their work, passions and values on the world stage. I look forward to being a part of these moments for others."