Pebble Beach Concours Taps Barry RoweTo Create 2008 Tour d’Elegance Poster Art

Pebble Beach Concours Taps Barry RoweTo Create 2008 Tour d’Elegance Poster Art

British Artist Honors Legendary Lancia Racer

 

Pebble Beach, Calif. – July 29, 2008 – Award-winning Automotive Fine Arts Society member, Barry Rowe, was chosen to create the official poster artwork for the 2008 Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance.   The 11^th annual drive will take place August 14, 2008, and trace portions of historic 17-Mile Drive and Highway One.  Rowe’s poster captures the beauty and rich tradition of the Tour, while focusing on one of this year’s featured marques, Lancia.  The artwork will be on display at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 17, during the 23^rd annual AFAS exhibit on the fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links.

The Lancia depicted by Rowe is the legendary 1954 D24 Sport Spyder, winner of the 1954 Targa Florio in Sicily.  He illustrates the Italian racer at speed exiting the historic Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, Calif., with brave onlookers cheering and snapping photos.  With a 260 horsepower, V6 engine and a top speed of 160 mph, this would have been quite a joy ride in the Lancia spyder.

“As a past participant in the Tour d’Elegance, I can attest that there is no bigger thrill than the dash across the stunning Bixby Bridge in a classic motorcar,” said Rowe.  “And the Lancia D24 is truly an iconic racer that has captured the imaginations of enthusiasts for decades.  Its meaty front end, complete with a signature air-scoop on the right side, sets a beautiful contrast to the narrow roads on the Tour.”

In addition to the poster, Rowe will display several other originals during the Concours.  He salutes the British icon Bugatti with two new paintings, titled “Bugatti Queen” and “Morning Ride.”  Rowe will also offer “Lady in Red,” “Teatime Le Mans 1931″ and “Lancias Targa Florio ‘54.”

A native of England, Rowe studied graphic design at the College of Art in Coventry.  He worked for several years as an art director in the advertising field before becoming a freelance artist in 1966 in order to pursue his passion for painting automobiles.

His career as a painter began when he won the Sotheby’s Art Award for his portrait of Juan Fangio.  This led to commissions from Louis Vuitton of Paris, Royal Mail, Royal Doulton and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.  Rowe’s Pebble Beach credentials include eight Tour posters, three official Concours posters, six Awards of Excellence and the Lincoln Award in 2006.  He also created last year’s official Pebble Beach Concours poster, which featured Aston Martin.

About the Automotive Fine Arts Society

Celebrating its 25^th year of existence, the AFAS includes some of the most prestigious talents in fine art.  Members work in many diverse mediums including oil, watercolors, acrylics, wood, gouache, pen & ink, clay and metal.  AFAS participates in select shows across the country including the Pebble Beach Concours d´Elegance and the Amelia Island Concours d´Elegance.  Information about AFAS is available at www.autoartgallery.com or by contacting Luke DeRouen at (214) 520-3430 or lderouen@tprm-usa.com.

###