Sydney, Australia (19 June 2024) – In a bold move to support Australian artists and declining attendance at galleries and museums, Evoke, the country’s leading electric vehicle (EV) driver company, has launched its innovative Art Series Cars initiative.
As the cost of living crisis hits households across the country, many art galleries and museums across the country have seen a drop in foot traffic compared to pre-pandemic numbers.* Evoke’s revolutionary program aims to bring art directly to the streets, transforming its fleet into mobile galleries that travel daily across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Today marks the launch of the first car in the Art Series – a specially commissioned Tesla Model S featuring ‘Journey’, a striking design by First Nations artist Alysha Menzel of the Samsep people of Erub Island in the Torres Strait.
“I am honoured to have created Journey for Evoke. This initiative is a game changer. It’s not just about beautifying cars, it’s about making art accessible and sparking critical conversations about sustainability, culture and our shared future. I am committed to using my art to build a more inclusive and diverse world to illustrate the steps we need to take towards reconciliation, understanding and respect for First Nations cultures and the land we share,” said Menzel.
Evoke CEO Pia Peterson said the company was excited to bring art to Australians through this new initiative. “We believe it’s important to create opportunities to celebrate and showcase the incredible talent of Australian artists. The Art Car Series allows us to do this in a truly unique way,” Ms Peterson said.
Ms Peterson highlighted the dual purpose of the program: “We’re not just providing a platform for artists; we’re revolutionising the way Australians engage with art. Our vehicles will enable millions of people along the east coast to experience diverse artistic expression, filling the void left by declining foot traffic to art galleries.”
The move comes at a critical time for Australia’s arts sector, which has been hit hard by economic pressures and changing consumer habits due to the pandemic and the growth of online exhibitions.
In a move that is set to create a buzz in the art world, Evoke is now accepting applications for its second Art Series car. This open call offers artists a unique opportunity to benefit from unprecedented exposure and financial support during these challenging times.
“We are looking forward to finding our next Australian artist to design the exterior of our second Art Series car. The chosen artist will receive $5,000 in cash plus an additional donation to the charity of their choice,” Ms Peterson said.
Expressions of interest for the upcoming Art Series car can be submitted via www.evoke.limo before August 30, 2024.
The ‘Journey’ art series car will be available to book across Sydney from July 2024, with a portion of proceeds going to support the Australian Literacy Foundation’s Aboriginal programs. www.evoke.limo
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About Evoke
Evoke is Australia’s first electric chauffeur company, offering luxury transport services with a fleet of electric vehicles. Based in Sydney, the company is committed to sustainable practices and celebrating First Nations cultures. Since 2015, Evoke has avoided more than one million kilograms of CO2 emissions from the atmosphere.
Description of the work
The Journey artwork symbolizes Evoke’s mission to bring meaningful change to the world by providing a premium travel service that doesn’t cost the environment.
The variation of colours, lines and marks in the work symbolise the different countries and environments in which Evoke operates and travels. Constellations are present in the different representations of the countries to signify the navigation through the country by the stars and stories of the night sky. The flowing paths represent the journeys made with the clients, with the circular flowers symbolising the pick-up and drop-off points before the road trips continue, evoking bi-directional learning, growth and positive change.
From here, Evoke’s journey continues and will be guided by continued progress towards reconciliation, building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, and being guided by the principles of open listening and collaborative action.
Artist Biography – Alysha Menzel
Alysha Menzel is a proud multicultural First Nations woman, descended from the Samsep people of Erub Island in the Torres Strait. A multidisciplinary creative, focusing on art, illustration and design, Alysha is influenced and inspired by her Torres Strait Islander heritage and seafaring culture, exploring her connection to country and her identity within it. With a diverse professional and cultural background, she is committed to using creativity to help build a more inclusive and diverse world.
About Us:
Evoke Cars is Australia’s first electric chauffeur service, providing luxury transport services with a fleet of Tesla electric vehicles. Based in Sydney, the company is committed to sustainable practices and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Since 2015, Evoke Cars has avoided nearly 1,030,000 kilograms of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.
Contact details:
Media enquiries: Candice Lester, 0401 367 343, Candice@houseofpr.com.a