c collage 001 Michael Turner

The presented work is a composite artwork, assembled from four distinct depictions of vintage automobile racing scenes. The central text, Corsa Automobilia, immediately establishes the subject matter as motorsport, specifically evoking a sense of classic or historical races.
Each quadrant showcases a different moment and perspective within this world. In the upper left corner, we observe a starting grid scene; spectators fill tiered stands behind a long straightaway, awaiting the commencement of the race. The vehicles are lined up, their drivers poised in anticipation. A palpable tension hangs in the air, conveyed through the blurred figures in the crowd and the focused stance of the racers.
The upper right quadrant shifts to a dynamic view of a vehicle speeding along a winding track. The background reveals a landscape with trees and buildings, suggesting a race taking place outside an urban environment. Branding elements – Firestone and Lucas – are visible on the car’s bodywork, hinting at sponsorships and technological advancements of the era.
The lower left quadrant presents a low-angle view of another vehicle in motion, its red paint contrasting sharply with the green foliage bordering the track. The composition emphasizes speed and power; the spray of water kicked up by the tires further enhances this impression. A banner displaying DUNLOP is visible, again indicating sponsorship.
Finally, the lower right quadrant depicts a race unfolding on a circuit bordered by buildings – likely an urban or semi-urban setting. Here we see another vehicle in motion, its driver navigating a curve with apparent skill. The blurred background suggests considerable velocity and the excitement of competition.
The overall effect is one of nostalgia and reverence for a bygone era of motorsport. The artist’s choice to present these scenes as a collage creates a fragmented narrative, suggesting multiple facets of the racing experience – the anticipation before the start, the thrill of speed, the technological context, and the spectacle for the audience. The consistent style across all four quadrants implies a deliberate attempt to create a unified aesthetic, celebrating the shared history and visual language of classic automobile racing.