For many fans of motorsports, classic vehicles or the racing universe, memorabilia is a fundamental part of their passion. Collecting, decoration, setting… There are various reasons that push many motor enthusiasts to accumulate and surround themselves with all kinds of souvenirs, objects, posters, logos, emblems and all kinds of promotional or informative items related to their favorite theme. Some, in their desire to create the definitive sanctuary for every four-wheel lover, have gone so far as to recreate authentic museums. And, precisely for them, is who the German artist Marc Clormann works for.
With several family members linked to the design and aesthetics of objects (painters, artists, creatives), Clormann was pushed to experiment from a very young age with design and artistic interpretations of all kinds. He first tried his hand at airbrushing, which was fashionable when he was in school. It was the 80s when he spray-designed motorcycle hoods, tanks and off-road vehicle covers. Later he even decorated an entire motorhome with Christmas motifs.
His interest in this field led him to study communication and industrial design. After working as a freelance designer, he ended up opening his own agency. But after three decades as a digital designer, “I no longer want to sit in front of a screen twelve hours a day,” says this creative, who now increasingly seeks an analog balance in his free time.
A few years ago he began buying old Porsche hoods to take them on an “artistic journey” to past decades. “I try to find a story behind the dents, rust and other supposed damage that used hoods bring with them. Metal is my canvas on which I recreate historical racing designs. First, I interpret them artistically and then compress the emotions of that time into a hood as a form of vindication of history,” says Marc.
This unique 52-year-old artist, who lives on a century-old farm in Upper Bavaria, declares himself a lover of patina. To create his works he follows a meticulous process. First clean, sand, prime and create a perfect base. Next, he sketches the planned design on the hood, meticulously glues the contours and begins to paint with acrylic paint, brushes and that “imperfect precision” typical of artisanal and manual work.
“Acrylic paint adheres very well to metal if prepared correctly. And it also dries quickly and allows you to mix different colors to get the right tone. It can take me up to 30 hours to finish a hood. But the goal is not perfection. I am more fascinated by old vehicles with imperfections and visible history than those that look shiny in their garages,” says Clormann. Depending on the wishes and requests of his clients and the degree of rust, he sands and simulates the patina to a greater or lesser extent. Finally, he enhances his colorful works with lines, emblems and letters, for which he also likes to use antique elements.
Fascinated by the so-called golden age of motorsport, Clormann’s works evoke competition and allow us to travel back in time while currently decorating garages, living rooms or offices. “When I paint, I like to remember the feeling of when races were big events. The time – the 60s and 70s – when spectators were half a meter from the track. That is unimaginable in today’s motorsports, that’s why I try transmit to my clients those emotions and those that I feel when painting”.
“Porsche set a benchmark with the 911; “Its silhouette and image are legendary and this iconic design has an incredibly powerful effect,” says Clormann, who recalls the significance of legendary designs and colors such as those of Gulf Racing. “The light blue background with blue and orange stripes of Gulf is reminiscent of one of the most famous racing cars of all time: the Porsche 917. The Jägermeister stag and the legendary paint job on the historic orange Porsche 911 RSR from 1974 is another legend. Also the 911 ‘Grello’ from Manthey-Racing, “With its bright yellow and green color scheme, it is very symbolic and iconic.”
