His vibrant, graffiti-inspired livery made its striking debut on the Racing Bulls F1 cars at Silverstone, a collaborative effort with the renowned fashion brand Hugo. Slawn’s audacious visuals, now speeding at over 200 mph, are captivating audiences not just for their artistic appeal but also for what they signify: a fresh, fearless identity for the Faenza-based team, formerly known as AlphaTauri. "First artist in the world to have his work on an F1 car that’s going to race in the British GP. Painting the way one vehicle at a time," Slawn enthusiastically shared on Instagram.
Beyond the Livery: A Holistic Artistic Takeover
Slawn's artistic influence extended beyond the car's exterior. He also meticulously designed the race suits worn by drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, as well as the staff uniforms, each emblazoned with his unmistakable graffiti-infused designs. Approaching the F1 collaboration with characteristic enthusiasm, the artist acknowledged the unique creative challenges posed by the car's intricate curves. "You’ve got to think about the curvature and everything… I don’t think I’m equipped to make any changes for the car to go faster, so I’ll just give them some graphics,” he candidly told Motorsport.com.
Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer lauded the partnership, stating, “Slawn’s work is unlike anything we’ve seen in Formula 1, and that’s exactly why this collaboration felt right. Partnering with Hugo and Slawn has allowed us to push creative boundaries in a way that reflects the bold identity of our team.” This sentiment was echoed by James Foster, SVP of Global Marketing at Hugo Boss, who remarked, “Witnessing the big reveal of Slawn’s fresh, energetic art on the Racing Bulls team’s new livery and his exciting takeover of the Hugo x RB collab has been inspiring… This collaboration is a brilliant demonstration of the power of going your own way, which is at the core of Hugo’s DNA.”
Slawn's Unconventional Path to Global Recognition
Slawn's ascent in the art world has been anything but conventional. Hailing originally from Lagos, Nigeria, his artistic journey began at Wafflesncream, Nigeria’s inaugural skate shop. He later co-founded the influential cult fashion label Motherlan. The 2020 lockdown in London marked a pivotal moment, as he transitioned to painting, culminating in his debut exhibition in 2021 at Truman Brewery. A mere year later, his work garnered international attention with an auction debut at Sotheby’s. In 2023, he further solidified his groundbreaking status by becoming the youngest and first Nigerian-born artist to design the Brit Awards statue and stage.
His impressive portfolio boasts collaborations with global powerhouses such as Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Ferrari, and the Emirates FA Cup. Now, with his artwork captivating audiences at high speeds around Silverstone, Slawn has once again redefined the boundaries of art, culture, and sport.
For fans unable to witness the race in person, the immersive experience extended to Slawn’s east London café, Beau Beau’s. It was temporarily transformed into the Hugo Race Car Café, complete with custom F1 decor, themed coffee cups, and even a racing simulator. Although Slawn wasn’t a lifelong F1 enthusiast, he found common ground through the legendary Ayrton Senna. “I knew who Ayrton Senna was because of his mindset and his focus,” he shared, highlighting the shared dedication to excellence.