By Esmé Delaunay
In a remote stretch of desert where the sun gleams unforgivingly off endless sand dunes, a new star in the art world is blazing a trail—literally. Emerging Middle Eastern artist Fahad Al-Rami has stunned critics and captivated Instagram with his audacious technique of creating sprawling, intricate artworks using nothing but a top-of-the-line Mercedes G-Wagon and its tire tracks. Dubbed “tyre calligraphy” by some and “luxury land art” by others, Al-Rami’s works are as much about high-octane performance as they are about artistic expression.
Who Is Fahad Al-Rami?
Al-Rami, 31, hails from a prominent family in the Gulf, but he has always been determined to break free from tradition—by embracing excess in the most innovative way possible. After briefly dabbling in more conventional mediums (including a short-lived attempt to paint with saffron and camel milk), Al-Rami claims he had an epiphany while off-roading with friends.
“I was doing donuts in the sand,” Al-Rami recalls, adjusting his aviator sunglasses. “And suddenly, I looked back and saw the tracks I’d left behind. They weren’t just tracks—they were lines. Lines with meaning, power, and the subtle suggestion of turbocharged luxury.”
Since that moment, Al-Rami has devoted himself to mastering the art of “desert drawing,” using the G-Wagon as both his brush and his canvas. His works span miles, often requiring drone footage to be fully appreciated, and last only as long as the wind permits.
The Process
Al-Rami’s artistic process is as meticulous as it is extravagant. Before creating a piece, he spends hours sketching his designs in the sand with a diamond-encrusted stick—“a ceremonial act,” he explains. Once satisfied with the concept, he climbs into his custom gold-trimmed G-Wagon and begins the laborious task of translating his vision into reality, steering the vehicle with surgical precision over dunes and flats.
Each piece requires perfect coordination between Al-Rami and his pit crew, who monitor tire pressure, fuel levels, and the angles of his turns. “The G-Wagon isn’t just a car,” Al-Rami says. “It’s an extension of my soul. And its all-wheel drive ensures my soul doesn’t get stuck in soft sand.”
The Artworks
Al-Rami’s works are a fascinating fusion of tradition, modernity, and sheer extravagance. Some of his most notable pieces include:
• “The Endless Falcon”: A colossal rendering of a falcon in flight, symbolizing the spirit of the desert. The piece spans 4 miles and required three sets of tires to complete. Critics have called it “the most ambitious avian artwork since Audubon.”
• “Dune Mandala #7”: A hypnotic geometric design inspired by traditional Islamic patterns. Al-Rami’s crew had to refuel mid-piece, creating an accidental but aesthetically pleasing petrol spill at the center.
• “Ego Drip”: A self-portrait of Al-Rami—complete with his trademark sunglasses—rendered entirely in concentric circles of skid marks. Some interpret it as a critique of modern masculinity; others see it as a literal signature.
The Reception
Reaction to Al-Rami’s work has been predictably polarized. Art critics are divided between calling him “a visionary genius redefining land art” and dismissing his work as “the product of an overactive trust fund.”
Pierre Dubois, a curator at the Paris Museum of Contemporary Excess, praised Al-Rami’s ability to combine cultural commentary with “mechanized majesty.” “His use of the G-Wagon—a vehicle synonymous with wealth and status—as a tool of creation is a bold statement about the intersection of privilege and artistry,” Dubois said.
Others are less impressed. “It’s just expensive doodling in sand,” said Dr. Harriet Grimshaw, an expert in land art, who argues that Al-Rami’s works lack the environmental awareness of figures like Andy Goldsworthy. “At least Goldsworthy didn’t require premium unleaded to make his art.”
The Symbolism of the G-Wagon
To Al-Rami, the Mercedes G-Wagon is more than just a luxury SUV—it’s a symbol of modernity, power, and, above all, contradiction. “The G-Wagon is a paradox,” he explains. “It is rugged yet refined, functional yet absurdly impractical for city driving. Much like my art, it forces people to question their relationship with excess.”
Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, has taken notice. Rumors are swirling that the automaker plans to sponsor Al-Rami’s next piece, tentatively titled “The Spiral of Speed,” which will involve three synchronized G-Wagons creating interlocking patterns across a salt flat in Saudi Arabia.
What’s Next for Al-Rami?
Al-Rami has ambitious plans for the future, including a “global desert exhibition” that will feature works in the Mojave, the Outback, and the Namib. When asked how he feels about the impermanence of his art, Al-Rami is philosophical: “All art fades. Mine just fades faster because of wind.”
Despite his critics, Al-Rami’s work continues to inspire conversation—and no small amount of envy. Whether you see him as a trailblazing artist or simply a man with too much horsepower and time on his hands, one thing is clear: Fahad Al-Rami is driving the art world in a bold new direction.
And if you can’t keep up? Well, as the artist himself might say, “That’s what four-wheel drive is for.”