Rétromobile Fair Previewed New York Exhibition
The Rétromobile fair showcased its upcoming New York debut with an exclusive preview at the CART Department gallery.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Fine Art
Live Poll
Do you believe that exhibitions featuring branded art cars provide genuine cultural value?
The Rétromobile fair has previewed its upcoming New York exhibition at the CART Department gallery in the West Village. The event highlights a collection of vehicles that bridge the gap between automotive design and fine art.
Why it matters
This exhibition aims to bridge the intersection of cars, art, design, and culture by showcasing unique vehicles as an artistic medium. It marks a significant expansion for the fair, which has spent 50 years established in Paris.
The most recent Paris anniversary edition of Rétromobile featured 600 exhibitors and attracted 181,500 visitors. The current CART Department collection in New York maintains more than 70 distinct art cars.
The players
Larry Warsh
He is the founder of the CART Department and a dedicated proponent of projects that integrate fine art with automotive design.
Damien Hirst
He is a prominent contemporary artist known for his conceptual works, including a custom-painted Mini Cooper.
Shepard Fairey
He is a renowned street artist and graphic designer who has utilized a 1937 Packard sedan as a canvas for his work.
The details
The upcoming exhibition features vehicles decorated by notable artists including Damien Hirst, who painted a Mini Cooper in 2000, and Shepard Fairey, who worked on a 1937 Packard sedan. These pieces reflect the core mission of the gallery, which treats the automobile as a cultural medium.
Timeline
Damien Hirst decorated a Mini Cooper in 2000.
Larry Warsh began his art-and-car initiative in 2013.
The CART Department gallery space opened in 2024.
The Shepard Fairey exhibition was held September 24-27, 2026.
The Rétromobile fair will occur at the Javits Center November 19-22, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This move mirrors the global expansion strategies seen across major international art fairs and automotive expos. It signals a shift toward bringing historical, curated automotive experiences to American cultural hubs like New York.
Collectors and art enthusiasts can plan to attend the upcoming exhibition at the Javits Center this November. Tickets and full schedule information for the New York debut are expected to follow the preview event.
The takeaway
The intersection of fine art and automotive engineering creates a unique niche for collectors and cultural observers alike. By integrating classic vehicle design with contemporary art, these exhibitions transform traditional car shows into immersive cultural experiences.
What happens next
The Rétromobile exhibition is scheduled to take place at the Javits Center in New York from November 19 to November 22, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the local art scene by visiting the /entertainment/arts-theater/fine-art/ section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Galerie Magazine.
Live Poll
Do you believe that exhibitions featuring branded art cars provide genuine cultural value?
