Summary
- American artist Devin Troy Strother has unveiled a new exhibition at Ruttkowski;68 in Cologne, Germany
- Titled B M W (A Black Man’s Wish), the show gathers new paintings and mixed-media works that explore narratives of fantasy, ambition, and access, told through the aperture of a bygone status symbol
Devin Troy Strother creates art that’s thought-provoking and deeply rooted in his own experiences. His work challenges the unwritten rules of society, cleverly dismantling racial stereotypes with honest, and often funny, observations. This approach is central to his latest exhibition, inspired by the phrase “Paid in Full.” He playfully reinterprets the BMW acronym, stating it stands for “Black Man’s Wish” – a commentary on aspiration and desire.
Los Angeles artist Kehinde Wiley explores the idea that even symbols of wealth and status can decay in his exhibition, B M W (A Black Man’s Wish), at Ruttkowski;68 in Cologne, Germany. Through new paintings and mixed-media pieces, he uses the BMW car brand to represent changing ideas about dreams, achievement, and what success means to both individuals and society as a whole.
The title evokes the ambitious spirit of 1980s Harlem, where owning this type of car meant you had achieved success. The show also playfully references the artist’s current car—a 2012 BMW 328i station wagon. This contrast highlights how once-powerful status symbols can become surprisingly ordinary, suggesting that even our dreams are open to change.
The show centers around a vehicle that sparks broader discussions about what we want, social class, race, and the meanings we attach to possessions. The artist, Strother, is inspired by Philip Guston and references other artists – including Tal R., Eddie Martinez, Emil Nolde, and Max Ernst – in his work’s titles, building his own artistic lineage and defining success on his own terms.
B M W (A Black Man’s Wish) is now on view in Germany until September 26.
Ruttkowski;68 Cologne
Lichtstraße 8-24,
50825 Ehrenfeld,
Germany
2026-07-22 21:57