Toyota bZ4X Inspires Creativity: Artists Across the U.S. Draw Inspiration from All-Electric SUV
PLANO, Texas (April 2, 2025) – The Toyota bZ4X went to creative new places recently as three artists from across the country transformed the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) into art on wheels. Artists from Boston, MA, Portland, OR, and Reno, NV created murals in their respective hometowns and then Toyota wrapped the bZ4Xs* with the mural’s design. Each vehicle then made its way to the prestigious Art Week event in Miami, Florida, where they were displayed and served as mobile art pieces during the event.
Boston’s Sophy Tuttle, Portland’s Blaine Fontana, and Reno’s Erik T. Burke, were the visionary creators that transformed the bZ4Xs. Each artist’s mural concept focused on unique aspects of their hometown and the modern aesthetic of the bZ4X.
“At Toyota we believe that creativity and the arts are essential for building strong communities,” said Owen Peacock, general manager, Toyota Vehicle and Marketing Communications. “We’re thrilled that the bZ4X could play a part in these artists’ expression of what their hometown means to them and the role that electrified mobility plays today and tomorrow.”
Bespoke in Beantown:
Taking inspiration from her hometown of Boston, Massachusetts, Sophy Tuttle took inspiration from the curves of the bZ4X, highlighting its circular elements in her design and creating a dynamic and exciting composition and featuring many species native to Massachusetts.
Mural Tower of Reno:
Reno’s Erik T. Burke used the shape of the bZ4X as the springboard for his design that climbs his towering mural. Burke chose natural elements with bright, warm colors that mirror the sense of electricity. The bZ4X’s elongated rear lights took on an unfolding poppy shape, symbolizing the start of spring and the idea of a flower signifying an environmental change. The bZ4X’s wheel wells were also integrated with the design concept, with their shape inspiring a beveled step pattern.
Painting Portland:
Muralist Blaine Fontana brought the curves and contour of the bZ4X to Portland with a vibrant 3D style mural to honor the body and engineering of the car. His approach used organic, natural imagery from the Pacific Northwest, including bird feathers, leaves, lake, and river patterns. He also placed an icosahedron shape in space, which was symbolic of the building blocks of life and the strength and design elements of the bZ4X. In the background a topographic map of the iconic Cascade mountains of the Pacific Northwest and location mark for Portland represented the distance one can adventure in the all-electric SUV.
For more about the bZ4X mural project and the artists behind it, check out the video below:
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 35 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In spring 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 31 electrified options.
Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.
Media Contacts
Paul Hogard
paul.hogard@toyota.com
469-429-4524