Lebanese artist Anna Maria Aoun (better known as Anna Tangles) has been announced as the latest creative commissioned to create the McLaren car livery at this year’s much-anticipated Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2022. As part of the Driven by Change programme – initiated by the number one global vape brand* Vuse and The McLaren F1 Team – Tangles’ designs will be revealed at the finale of this year’s epic Formula 1 season. 

The artist’s bold, linear designs – so redolent of both dynamic movement and grace – seem to perfectly marry the elegance and speed of this seminal event in the motorsports calendar while also reflecting The McLaren F1 Team’s signature colours, papaya and blue. Flowing from her pen from one single starting point and travelling outward to create an ever-expanding abstract formation, the lines that form her work seem to mirror so many aspects of Formula 1… the curves and contours of the circuit, the state of focus and calm into which the driver must enter, and those bold lines all emanating from that one point – the ever-elusive perspective point to which all roads ultimately lead. 

Tangles is just one in a succession of emerging artists given a platform by the Driven by Change initiative, which was conceived with the guiding principle of offering unrepresented creative talent unique industry-breaking opportunities to showcase their work on a global stage.

Having recently made this life-altering decision to pursue her fantasy of being an artist, this collaboration presents Tangles with a profound opportunity to realise that dream. “When I took the leap of faith to follow my passion and become a full-time artist, I never believed that I would one day have my artwork showcased on a global stage at such an iconic event and in a programme such as Driven by Change,” she revealed in a recent statement. “This opportunity is truly life-changing.”

This is the second consecutive year that a Middle Eastern artist has been invited by Driven by Change to design The McLaren F1 Team’s livery. Tangles follows in the footsteps of Rabab Tantawy, the Cairo-born and Dubai-based artist whose striking, vibrant designs were featured on The McLaren F1 Team’s livery in the 2021 Abu Dhabi race. The occasion was also distinguished as the first time a female artist from the Middle East had been given an opportunity of this kind.

Tantawy continues to inspire Tangles, who also invests energy into helping empower other emerging artists – particularly other Middle Eastern women in the creative industries. Through a programme of workshops and mentorships, Tangles strives to forge accessible pathways for artists who might otherwise struggle to find support and opportunities in this realm – yet another way in which her practice as an artist is deeply aligned with the principles of the Driven by Change initiative.

“When I took the leap of faith to follow my passion and become a full-time artist, I never believed that I would one day have my artwork showcased on a global stage” – Anna Tangles

John Beasley, Group Head of Brand Building at BAT reflects on the ongoing legacy of the Driven by Change programme: “We could not be prouder that our 2021 artist, Rabab identified Anna to carry on that legacy of creativity and change. Anna embodies the Driven by Change ethos, and it’s great to see an original piece of her artwork have its time to shine on one of the world’s fastest-moving canvases. We’re extremely excited to see what the future holds for Anna and to uncover future artists for her to pass the paintbrush to.”

The upcoming Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2022 will not only present Tangles’ new exclusive designs, but also bring together all the Driven by Change artists’ work in a climactic conclusion to the 2022 F1 season in Abu Dhabi.

Head to the gallery above for a closer look at Tangles’ one-off livery designs for this year’s McLaren F1 racing car.

Vuse is an alternative to traditional tobacco products that contains nicotine and is suitable for adult nicotine consumers. 

*Based on Vype/Vuse estimated value share from RRP in measured retail for vapour (i.e. total vapour category value in retail sales) in the USA, Canada, France, UK, Germany. These five markets cover an estimated 77 per cent of global vapour closed system NTO, calculated in June – July 2021.