Lexus South Africa returns as vehicle partner to RMB Latitudes Art Fair 2026

Lexus South Africa announced its fourth consecutive year as official vehicle partner to the RMB Latitudes Art Fair, taking place from 22–24 May 2026 at Shepstone Gardens. The partnership reaffirms Lexus’ enduring commitment to contemporary African creativity, design excellence and progressive cultural platforms.

The Art of Exchange

In another strategic brand alignment for Lexus, following a monumental collaboration with LIV Golf South Africa, the automotive leader is again aligning itself with an event that has become a leading platform for contemporary African art and cultural exchange. Recognising philosophical synergy between culture and brands has been a key focus area in marketing of late. In 2026, consumers and brands are interacting in spaces that foster exchange and experience, rather than transaction.

By supporting RMB Latitudes for a fourth year, Lexus South Africa places itself at the forefront of a cultural ecosystem that reimagines how art fairs can function. RMB Latitudes Art Fair is widely recognised for its distinctive model that prioritises sustainability, equitable access and long‑term visibility for artists from Africa and its diaspora. These values strongly align with Lexus’ own multi‑pathway approach to a more sustainable future, balancing innovation, responsibility and human‑centred design.

The 2026 theme for the much-anticipated Fair is  “an oasis of contemporary African art.” Reflecting on creativity flourishing in unlikely places, the exhibition draws inspiration from Johannesburg itself: a city founded without natural water sources, yet sustained by ingenuity, resilience and regeneration. For Lexus, the theme resonates through the RZ’s electric stillness and the immersive calm it brings to urban mobility.

The all-electric RZ chauffeur

Lexus will utilise the newly launched all‑electric Lexus RZ as the hero vehicle for the complimentary chauffeur service between Old Eds and Shepstone Gardens. Representing Lexus’ vision for electrified luxury, the RZ embodies refined performance, near‑silent movement and a heightened human‑centric driving experience – qualities that align seamlessly with the Fair’s 2026 theme, Oasis. The RZ will be anchored by a range of other Lexus models to ensure smooth guest chauffeurs between Old Eds and Shepstone Gardens.

In addition to the complimentary chauffeur drives, Lexus has also partnered with Motherland to offer complimentary beverages at Old Eds parking area whilst guests await a ride in a Lexus.

Art, electricity and movement converge

“At Lexus, we believe design should be felt, not just seen. Our continued partnership with RMB Latitudes Art Fair reflects a shared commitment to meaningful, human-centred experiences, exceptional craftsmanship and platforms that nurture long-term cultural value. Through the all-electric Lexus RZ and our collaboration with artist Adele van Heerden, we are able to express electrification not merely as advanced technology but as an emotional, immersive experience – where art, motion and design converge in quiet, considered harmony,” said Tasneem Lorgat, General Manager, Marketing Communications at Lexus South Africa.

Lexus South Africa’s collaboration with van Heerden celebrates African creativity at its finest. Selected pieces from van Heerden’s RMB Latitudes Art Fair exhibition will be translated into bespoke vehicle wraps on two Lexus RZ chauffeur vehicles, transforming them into moving artworks throughout the Fair weekend.

Drawing on the artist’s distinctive visual language, the wraps introduce:

• Luminous gradients and colour fields that evoke water, light and electric charge
• Refined abstraction that mirrors the fluidity and silent power of electric energy
• Compositions that subtly respond to movement, shifting as the vehicle travels through space
• A minimal yet immersive aesthetic aligned with Lexus’ design philosophy

The result is a quietly powerful expression of motion and light – where natural elements and electric innovation converge, turning each journey into an extension of the exhibition itself.

Expressing her excitement about the collaboration, van Heerden said, “I deeply value opportunities that explore accessibility in how art is experienced and how collaboration can expand and translate my visual language into new contexts. Seeing these works wrapped around the Lexus RZ is particularly exciting, as motion introduces an element of animation that continuously reshapes the compositions as the vehicle moves through space. I’m thankful to Lexus for the collaboration as it allows me to highlight the importance of safeguarding South Africa’s water systems. I believe all water bodies are interconnected and that we need to carry a more holistic, mindful awareness of water in our daily movement – including how and how often we travel.”

A Convergence of Culture, Design and Sustainable Mobility

Lexus’ expanding presence reflects a broader shift in how luxury brands engage with culture: not as spectators, but as collaborators shaping meaningful experiences. From electrified chauffeur journeys to immersive artistic activations, the partnership platforms a shared commitment to innovation grounded in human-centred design. Together, Lexus and Latitudes continue to redefine how movement, art and environment intersect; offering a quietly powerful vision of progress that is as considered as it is transformative.