Dickens and students create world’s longest fine art print

The British artist, in collaboration with over 50 art and communications students from Zayed University and a number of renowned local Emirati artists, created a 200 metre long print by rolling inked up tyres in relay along a canvas laid out along the pit lane of Yas Marina Circuit’s Racing School. Each participant rolled one of the tyres several metres along the sheeting, forming one continuous 200 metre print.

The attempt was filmed and will be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for recognition as a new record. “It’s been an absolute pleasure for me to collaborate with Zayed University students in this unique event. It’s as much as their artwork as mine. I have been welcomed with open arms by the local community on my return to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and I like to think that this is hopefully the beginning of many such projects working with Yas Marina Circuit and the wider community in combining culture and motorsport,” said Dickens.

The event is the latest step in a growing partnership between Yas Marina Circuit and Zayed University that has also seen 20 art students create works inspired by the Abu Dhabi F1® experience. These artworks are to be put on display alongside Mark Dickens’ newly created tyre-print in Yas Marina Circuit’s West Oasis for the duration of the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race weekend, giving all F1® ticketholders the chance to view them.

“With the 2013 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix set to be bigger, better and more inclusive than ever, this collaboration is a fine example of the sharing of ideas and practices that we welcome over the course of the race weekend. It’s wonderful to see local students able to benefit from the expertise of an internationally renowned artist like Mark,” said Richard Cregan, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit.

As official Formula 1 artist, Mark Dickens is well known for his previous commissioned work for Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management. His work is featured in a number of private-public collections around the world.