MINI Recharged Lakwena – the electrified art car spreading BIG LOVE

MINI just premiered their second Recharged art car – this time designed by British artist Lakwena Maciver at the 2022 European Championships in Munich. Lakwena has created a work of art full of colour, joy and BIG LOVE. Fittingly, MINI is celebrating diversity this summer at the European Championships, where the brand is an official partner.  

The MINI Recharged

Lakwena has redesigned the 1986 car chosen by MINI to match the year of her birth, transforming the classic Mini into an ambassador for the MINI Recharged project. The project consists of swapping out the existing engine for a new electric drive by MINI Partner Recharge Heritage Ltd. The first art car of the Recharged project was designed by fashion designer Paul Smith, making this the second instalment.

Lakwena’s “BIG LOVE” design

 Lakwena’s work focuses on bold statements and bright colours, which she mainly paints in public spaces with the intention of bringing art to those who might not otherwise have access to it.

The partnership between MINI and the artist began two years ago. During the IAA mobility show in Munich in 2021, she painted a formerly grey high-rise façade, expressing joie de vivre and MINI's central motto with her mural "BIG LOVE".

 As she is based in London, a large part of Lakewna’s inspiration comes from the diversity of the city and the many journeys and paths taken by all kinds of different Londoners. The way she represents this is through her brightly applied patterns and colours. This theme is also quite fitting to this year’s competitions in Munich, which stand for mutual respect, tolerance and diversity.

"I hope this MINI Recharged will make people feel good and put a smile on their faces. This MINI is a colour festival of cultures. “ – Lakwena Maciver

The artwork is ideally suited to this year's European Championships, which are being held throughout Munich from 11 to 21 August. The competitions, in which athletes compete in nine different disciplines, stand for mutual respect, tolerance and diversity.

Lakwena first attracted attention with her I Remember Paradise mural for the 2013 Wynwood Walls festival in Miami, and has since created other public works around the U.K. at locations such as Tate Britain and the Southbank Centre. Bright neon colours and positive affirmations lure viewers to her graphic text-based murals and panel paintings, which she sometimes embellishes with elements like three-dimensional block letters and sequins, or gilded lettering. Her artistic imprint is perfectly in line with the “BIG LOVE” slogan, with its warm and bold positive outlook on the world around her.

Pictures: MINI