Custom Lexus IS 350 by Alex Alpert дебuts at EXPO Chicago

Lexus and artist Alex Alpert present a custom IS 350 at EXPO Chicago, blending automotive design with contemporary art. Discover how the project reimagines the car.

Lexus has turned a production sedan into an art object — a custom IS 350 created with visual artist Alex Alpert made its debut at EXPO Chicago. The car is presented not just as a design piece, but as a full artistic statement, where the vehicle itself becomes a canvas.

The project is built around Alpert’s signature line-art style. Black lines of varying thickness trace the contours of the car, visually flattening its three-dimensional form into a graphic composition. Embedded within the artwork are symbolic elements referencing Lexus values such as craftsmanship, engineering precision, performance, and the Japanese philosophy of omotenashi.

The choice of EXPO Chicago adds context to the project. The fair is one of the leading international platforms for contemporary art, bringing together galleries and artists from around the world. For Lexus, this is not simply a vehicle reveal but an entry into a cultural environment where the brand seeks to position itself through creative collaborations.

Alex Alpert is known for working at the intersection of art and brands. He frequently creates drawings live in front of audiences and has collaborated with companies such as Nike, Red Bull, McLaren, and Bugatti. This approach carries into the Lexus partnership, which will continue at events like NYCxDesign and Art Basel, where he will produce live-painted vehicle elements on site.

Within this context, the IS 350 functions as a flexible platform capable of moving beyond the automotive space. Art-driven collaborations have become a familiar strategy for brands aiming to connect with broader audiences, and Lexus appears to be investing further in this direction. The debut in Chicago marks the beginning of a series of cultural appearances planned throughout the year.