The estimated value of the vehicle is around $ 145,000 and is a work of Claudia De Sabe.
Lexus has just released the details of a really curious story. It stars the UX , the smallest SUV in its catalog, which can now also boast of being the world's first tattooed vehicle. Yes, just as you are hearing it …
The Japanese Premium manufacturer claims that the creation of this vehicle is inspired by “refined craftsmanship and traditional Japanese art” and has been designed and created by London's leading tattoo artist, Claudia De Sabe, and her husband Yutaro.
The project arises from a conventional UX, painted in white, which serves as a canvas. Instead of a tattoo needle, the artist has used a Dremel electric multitool. The main visual motif is the so-called 'koi' of traditional Japanese art. “When you tattoo a person, you have to think about the muscles and the tissue under the skin. With the car, it's about the way the body changes together with the chassis,” explains Claudia.
So told, it does not sound overly complicated, but reality shows otherwise. Claudia invested over six months, from initial designs to completing the project with the royal tattoos.
Each of those tattoos required five days, with eight-hour days of hard work. The biggest challenge for the artist was the fact that, unlike people, the artist was unable to move the vehicle to the most comfortable position for drawing. In addition, the vibration of the multitool is greater than that caused by a tattoo needle.
“The best thing about tattooing the Lexus UX, and the real reason this machine was ideal for the project, is the dynamic shapes of its body. Everything from the lines on the side of the car to the shape of the window and this shape is only available on auto for trade, everything is very dynamic and beautiful. It was perfect for the design and the concept we were looking for. “
We also know that the tattoo process required several steps. In the first one, before applying the pattern, Claudia scraped off the white paint to expose the body metal to the air.
Once that point was made, the artist used approximately five liters of paint to highlight the details by hand. Subsequently, the artist, who also had the advice of her husband Yutaro, used gold leaf to highlight specific details of the design and create a marked 3D effect.
Finally, once all the tattoos were created, the final phase consisted of applying a layer of protective lacquer for the paint. The end result is what you are seeing in the images that accompany this news. And, by the way, this UX is not for sale, although the manufacturer's and artist's estimates value the vehicle at more than $ 145,000 (about 134,000 euros at the current exchange rate).