PR96248

MONACO, May 29, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

VUSE AND THE McLAREN F1 TEAM'S DRIVEN BY CHANGE INITIATIVE SECURES NEXT

OPPORTUNITY FOR UNDERREPRESENTED ARTIST DURING FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX(TM) DE

MONACO 2022

An emerging Colombian muralist has been given one of the world's most exclusive

canvases to bring to life his work in real-time in Monaco, over the FORMULA 1

GRAND PRIX(TM) DE MONACO 2022 weekend.

Vuse, the number one global vape brand**, and partner McLaren F1 Team, have

today unveiled a mural, created by an artist from Bogota, Columbia, at one of

the most exclusive races in the world, on the Monaco beachfront at the Grimaldi

Forum. The mural marks the latest activity as part of the Driven by Change

programme, which offers underrepresented creative talent around the globe the

opportunity to showcase their passion and work on one of the world's biggest

and most high-profile stages – elite motorsport.

The artist, DAST, is a 38-year-old Colombian muralist who was chosen to create

the artwork in Monaco because of his passion for art which has driven his

creative pursuits for the past ten years. As a Bogota native, DAST is

surrounded by a wealth of inspiration including the diverse geographies and

rich heritage of Colombia – something completely opposite to the usual glitz

and glamour seen along the Monaco beachfront. These elements inspire DAST to

step out of his comfort zone and create murals that explore the relationships

between people, places, and spaces.

DAST's gritty artwork and bold persona have been expertly captured in this live

mural, which beautifully juxtaposes with the classical, shiny Monaco cityscape.

Chosen for his unique style, embracing geometric shapes, colours, and the

relationships that occur in public spaces between buildings, streets and

pedestrians to inspire and inform the abstract mural. Featuring DAST's

signature geometric composition, the mural, which DAST painted in real-time,

has been inspired by themes of speed, combined with the aerodynamic design of

McLaren F1 Team's car and the vibrant papaya and blue colourway.

DAST, Freelance Artist, comments: "I have been pursuing a career in art and

design for over 10 years and opportunities like this are few and far between.

When I first started creating my designs, in my home in Bogota, I never would

have thought that one day I would have the opportunity to live my dream of

becoming a full-time artist. Having my work showcased at one of the most

exclusive Grand Prix(TM)  races and painting the mural in real-time on a

beautiful canvas such as Monaco's beachfront makes the opportunity even more

special!"

"These last six months have been truly life-changing. It is an honour to be one

of the creatives involved in Vuse's Driven by Change initiative and I hope to

see more creatives like me, take part in this incredible opportunity showcasing

their work, passions and values on the global platform of motorsports."

Driven by Change premiered in December 2021 at the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU

DHABI GRAND PRIX(TM) 2021, where McLaren unveiled a one-off livery designed by

Arabic artist, Rabab Tantawy [https://www.instagram.com/rababtantawy/?hl=en ],

celebrating the first time a female artist from the Middle East had been given

this kind of opportunity. This year, Driven by Change officially started at the

Miami Grand Prix(TM) where US photographer, Jonathan Walker

[https://www.instagram.com/wakkagram/ ], captured content around the streets of

Miami and at the circuit. Jonathan worked alongside McLaren's digital content

team, gaining valuable experiences, industry contacts and skills.

John Beasley, Group Head of Brand Building, BAT, comments: "We are really proud

of the opportunities the Driven by Change initiative has already provided to

emerging creatives such as Rabab Tantawy Jonathan Walker, and now DAST! It is

great to see DAST's raw passion, grit, geometric style and unique vision come

to life on a completely juxtaposing canvas such as the Monaco beachfront. Our

activity with Driven by Change showcases how Vuse is committed to making the

dreams of emerging artists a reality."

The initiative forms part of Vuse's ongoing ambition to accelerate creative

pursuits of underrepresented creative talent across the globe, working with

McLaren to identify opportunities to bring their work to life, helping

introduce creatives from diverse backgrounds to the masses. DAST's artwork will

be showcased for one night only, on Saturday 28th at the Grimaldi Forum, ahead

of the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX(TM) DE MONACO 2022 on Sunday 29th of May.

Rabab Tantawy comments: "I could never have imagined the opportunity that

Driven by Change offered me. To become the first artist to have an original

piece of art racing on-track was one of the most incredible things to happen in

my career. The opportunity truly changed my life. I am excited to be involved

in Driven by Change this year, working alongside Vuse and McLaren to continue

to change the lives of underrepresented artists, like myself."

Launching in August, creatives worldwide will have the opportunity to apply to

be selected for future Driven by Change opportunities, including showcasing

work at an upcoming Grand Prix(TM), to once-in-a-lifetime exclusive

collaborations with The McLaren F1 Team. Specific opportunities, dates and

timings for submission will be announced soon.

To discover more about DAST's story, visit: Vuse [https://www.instagram.com/vuse.worldwide/?hl=en ] and DAST's [https://www.instagram.com/dastuno/ ]social channels. Further information on the

Driven by Change initiative and how creatives can get involved in these

once-in-a-lifetime opportunities will be shared later in the year.

Notes to Editors:

About BAT

BAT is a leading, multi-category consumer goods business with a purpose to

build A Better Tomorrow by reducing the health impact of its business through

offering a greater choice of enjoyable and less risky products for adult

consumers. The company continues to be clear that combustible cigarettes pose

serious health risks, and the only way to avoid these risks is not to start or

to quit. BAT encourages those who would otherwise continue to smoke to switch

completely to scientifically-substantiated, reduced-risk alternatives*. In

order to deliver this, BAT is transforming into a truly consumer-centric

multi-category consumer products business. BAT employs over 53,000 people and

operates in over 180 countries, with 11 million points of sale and 45 factories

in 43 markets. The company's Strategic Portfolio is made up of its global

cigarette brands and a growing range of reduced-risk* New Category tobacco and

nicotine products and traditional non-combustible tobacco products. These

include vapour, tobacco heating products, modern oral products including

tobacco-free nicotine pouches, as well as traditional oral products such as

snus and moist snuff. In 2020, we had 13.5 million consumers of our

non-combustible products, a rise of 3 million on the year before. The BAT Group

generated revenue of GBP 25.8 billion in 2020 and profit from operations of GBP

9.9 billion.

*Based on the weight of evidence and assuming a complete switch from cigarette

smoking. These products are not risk free and are addictive.

** Based on Vype/Vuse estimated value share from RRP in measured retail for

vapour (i.e. total vapour category value in retail sales) in the USA, Canada,

France, UK, Germany. These 5 markets cover an estimated 77% of global vapour

closed system NTO, calculated in June –July 2021.

About McLaren Racing

McLaren Racing was founded by New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren in 1963.

The team entered its first Formula 1 race in 1966, since then McLaren has won

20 Formula 1 world championships, more than 180 Formula 1 grands prix, the Le

Mans 24 Hours at its first attempt and the Indianapolis 500 three

times. McLaren Racing currently competes in Formula 1 globally and

INDYCAR in the US.

The team is contesting the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship with Lando

Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, and in the 2021 INDYCAR Series with Arrow McLaren

SP drivers Pato O'Ward and Felix Rosenqvist. McLaren was the first F1 team to

be certified carbon neutral ten years ago and has successfully retained the

Carbon Trust Standard Award, most recently in February 2021. They were also the

first team to be awarded the FIA Institute's Environmental Award in 2013, which

they have consistently maintained at three-star level.

In 2022, McLaren Racing will enter a new category of motorsport when it enters

a team into Extreme E, the innovative all-electric off-road racing series that

highlights the impact of climate change.

About Rabab Tantawy

Born in 1971 in Cairo Rabab Tantawy grew up watching her mother draw and

create. Although she did not pursue an artistic career from the get-go, Rabab

always kept an interest in the arts and taught herself different techniques,

ranging from very traditional mediums like oil painting to modern ones like

spray-paints.

When Tantawy decided to dedicate herself to the arts she got involved in

several exhibitions while also actively pursuing street art.

Working with a multitude of mediums the artist created a playful approach to

the otherwise serious concepts that ground her work. Her biggest focus is on

union, community, and heritage.

While often we can see artists approach these subjects from a political point

of view, Rabab tries to bridge the gap and render these subjects through the

lens of universality.

Rabab is an intuitive artist. She doesn't work with preliminary sketches; she

uses the canvas as a support for direct download. There's no expectation for a

final product. In a way the product is the process of creation itself.

Line and colour are the pillars of Tantawy's work. Be it abstract or figurative

the artist's work starts from line. The lines function as a skeleton, informing

the whole process of the artwork in the making. Be it soft flowing lines or

strong angular ones, this step sets the rhythm of the work. While a lot of

artists are choosing to work with limited colour palettes, Tantawy switches

from classical earthy colours to strong neon colours in the same series with

the same ease she switches between mediums.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1828164/Vuse.jpg

Source: Vuse