In a striking fusion of automotive design and contemporary art, celebrated artist Benedict Radcliffe presents a remarkable sculpture that captures the essence of one of the most iconic supercars of the 1980s: the Lamborghini Countach “Koenig”. This full-sized masterpiece, meticulously crafted from steel rods, embodies the outline of the specially modified Lamborghini Countach Koenig, showcasing Radcliffe’s distinctive wireframe style that has captivated the global art community.
Radcliffe, a graduate of the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow, Scotland, has established a significant presence in the art world with his innovative sculptures. His career skyrocketed following his first exhibition, which featured a 1:1 scale 3D wireframe of a Subaru Impreza, a piece that he dubbed “Modern Japanese Classic.” Since then, Radcliffe’s works have found homes in private collections across Europe, the United States, and Japan, with commissions from major brands such as Comme des Garcons, Puma, and Paul Smith.
The Lamborghini Countach, enhanced by Willy Koenig in the 1980s, serves as an ideal subject for Radcliffe’s artistic expression. Koenig’s modifications, including a new exhaust system and a wind-tunnel-tested rear wing, not only increased the vehicle’s power and speed but also its visual and aerodynamic prowess. These enhancements, culminating in a turbocharged version that boasted up to 750 bhp, cemented the Countach’s status as a pinnacle of high-performance engineering and aesthetic boldness.
Radcliffe’s sculpture, measuring 42 inches high, 167 inches long, and 86 inches wide, encapsulates the Countach’s dramatic and aggressive design. It is not just a tribute to the engineering marvel that is the Lamborghini Countach but also an homage to the era of excess and innovation that the 1980s represented in automotive history.
Scheduled for auction by RM Sotheby’s in late May, with an estimated price guide of $80,000 to $100,000 USD, this sculpture is more than an art piece; it is a tangible intersection of automotive history and artistic innovation. For enthusiasts and collectors looking to own a piece of this legacy, further details and registration for bidding are available through the RM Sotheby’s listing.
Benedict Radcliffe’s Lamborghini Countach “Koenig” sculpture stands as a testament to the enduring allure of combining the realms of art and automotive design, making it a must-have for collectors at the confluence of these two worlds.
Shawn Henry