Harley-Davidson launched Art of Custom Design Competition in the UAE

Harley-Davidso® Invites Talented Artists in UAE to Celebrate Customisation Heritage by Collaborating With Artists to Launch ‘Art of Custom’ Campaign
See your own design recreated on the famous Harley-Davidson fuel tank

Harley-Davidson®, the world’s most iconic motorcycle brand renowned for its rich heritage in customisation and self-expression, has teamed up with some of the best contemporary artists from across the globe to launch the ‘Art of Custom’ design competition that will search for inspirational new art to appear on bespoke Harley-Davidson fuel tanks.

The ‘Art of Custom’ Campaign and Competition was launched to the world’s media in Miami’s acclaimed Wynwood Art District, an area famous for providing walls to act as blank canvases for the world’s most celebrated street artists. Ambassador and artist ‘Lebo’, whose art graces the walls and galleries of Wynwood, has kicked off the campaign by custom designing three tanks which not only bring to life the spirit of Harley-Davidson, but are also featured on the new Harley-Davidson Digital Tank Wall; an on line version of the real-life wall housed in the Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee, USA.

To provide inspiration to entrants, a number of artists including Lebo and renowned Irish character artist Terry Bradley, have customised a selection of Harley-Davidson tanks with their own original artwork.

As well as the new tanks, http://tankwall.harley-davidson.com/site/index?country=ZZ will also showcase some of the most iconic designs from the past century including the classic 1971 Willie G. Davidson designed ‘FX Super Glide’ and the 2008 ‘Cross Bones’ which formed the basis for the motorcycle ridden by Captain America in the 2011 Hollywood film.

Live from TODAY, budding artists and designers can download the tank template and bring to life their own interpretation of the Harley-Davidson spirit in whatever style and way they wish. From paints to graphics, entrants can use the tank as a blank canvas to express themselves just as the Harley-Davidson styling team have done for over one hundred years.

Participants from the Middle East and North Africa will be entered into a regional draw to win the value of either $5000, $2000 and $500 valid at a Harley-Davidson dealership in addition to a painted fuel tank as souvenir for the first and second winners. A ceremony will be held at Harley-Davidson’s MENA office in Dubai where the three winners will be handed their prizes in the presence of media and the judging panel.

Additionally, if regional entries receive enough online votes to be part of the top 50 designs, they will be going forward to a panel of judges, including members of the Harley-Davidson Styling Team, competition ambassador Lebo and Terry Bradley who will whittle the competition down to the final 10.

The public can then cast their votes to select the winner who will receive the experience of a lifetime. They will visit the home of Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to see their bespoke design re-created on their very own mechanical masterpiece; the Harley-Davidson Sportster. Two runners up will have tanks customised with their design and displayed at the famous Harley-Davidson museum.

Matthew Knott, Communications Manager, Harley-Davidson EMEA said: “Our customers choose Harley-Davidson as a means to express themselves and we have been customising bikes for over 100 years. We’re the only mass market brand who still creates designs by hand and we want to share this unique process with anyone who has the freedom to create and express themselves.”

The competition offers an amazing opportunity to be expressive, artistic and embrace all that Harley-Davidson stands for. Closing date for entries is Monday 30th April 2012.