fluorescent car painting using RC cars for brushes

popbang colour (ian cook) created a fluorescent painting of a chevrolet ‘volt’, using RV-controlled cars as his brushes

as part of his solo show at the SMMT automotive network, british artist popbang colour (ian cook) created a fluorescent, UV-lit painting of the chevrolet ‘volt‘ using radio-controlled model chevy ‘camaros’ and real car tires as his paintbrushes.

the project is one of many over the past four years in which cook utilizes RC model cars to create largescale artworks, but the ‘volt’ is the first ever to use fluorescent paints for a glowing effect, suggestive of the electric nature of the chevy vehicle. the entire piece was completed under UV lights, taking 12 hours over the course of two days. the process of painting in complete darkness was ‘disorientating‘, cook notes. ‘it was like painting the negative of the artwork. it was a experimentation, as I have felt that to evolve and develop as an artist it’s important to challenge yourself.‘

in addition to showing the fluorescent ‘volt’ painting, over the course of his week long solo show / residency at the SMMT, popbang colour created ‘spART’ (a painting of the chevrolet ‘spark’) live on-site using RC cars, and conducted workshops with students; more images on facebook.

the making-of the fluorescent chevrolet ‘volt’ painting video © ryan nicol

when asked how he got started using model cars and paintbrushes, the artist recounts, ‘I have always been a car and motorsports enthusiast, and I am trained and have a degree as a fine artist: it’s putting my two passions and interests together. the process started as I was given a radio controlled car as a christmas present and told ‘not to take it down my studio, and not to get paint on it!’… so I listened to a bit of that conversation.’

closer view