And who should be credited for bringing art and automobiles together at the cavernous 3000 sq ft car showroom at Hotel Ashok? Polka Art gallery’s owner Aarti Singh who took a sentimental step back in time by bringing 21 artists of international repute together for the Bentley Polka Art show, organized for the first time with an automobile company.

“As it was difficult to work out a theme for bringing artists like Raza and Hussain together who are icons unto themselves, we thought of Bentley, which is a classy brand and connects with the works of the artists in terms of quality, size and drama,” said Singh.

The works span 30 years and were carefully picked to match genre with the brand as well. Though, it is hard to say whether the classy sports car Lamborghini would jibe well with the mood of Bose Krishnmachari’s acrylic on canvas—Stretched Bodies, a mélange of colour with blurred skulls. “ We haven’t restricted ourselves to masters only and have a good mix of modernists with contemporary artists and sculptors like Khambatta who is doing very well in Mumbai,” said Singh.

Bentley’s New Delhi Managing Director Satya Prakash Bagla has clearly been paying close attention to the contemporary art world and understands the demands of his exacting clients. “ We have been associated with polo, golf and even a charity classical music event. The art will only expand our client base,” said Bagla. They also plan an annual arts show with a gallery that is bound to benefit both since the showroom will see double of the footfalls from high net worth individuals. For Singh, the response has been good, especially from the Mumbai clients who were eager to snap up the works.

The works begin from Rs 2 lakh while Khambatta’s Fury is pegged at Rs 7 lakhs.

So is anybody planning a series on cars next? “ If they approach me then definitely yes,” quips Khambatta, 42, who has also designed a garden sculpture for the Transmetal Company based in Gujarat. Meanwhile, Miller, 48, who has painted electric cars at this year’s Kalaghoda festival is game for working on a series of cars.