Rolls-Royce Turned The Cullinan Into A Graffiti-Inspired Work Of Art
Rolls-Royce has unveiled one of its boldest Bespoke projects in recent years, commissioning renowned French contemporary artist Cyril Kongo to transform five Black Badge Cullinans into rolling artworks. Known as the Black Badge Cullinan by Cyril Kongo, the collection contrasts the dark, aggressive Black Badge SUV with bursts of colorful graffiti-inspired artwork. Rolls-Royce has a long history of collaborating with creatives on rare creations, but this may be one of its most beautiful creations yet.
Kongo Joined Rolls-Royce's Inner Circle
Rather than treating this as a simple design partnership, where Rolls builds the car and sends calls in Kongo for post-production details, the artist was directly involved in the Bespoke operation at Goodwood. For months, Kongo worked alongside the brand's designers and engineers, even receiving his own dedicated studio space where he painted components by hand.
Rolls-Royce Design Director Domagoj Dukec said Kongo's "expressive, uncompromising style resonated perfectly with the spirit of Black Badge." The project itself was curated through Rolls-Royce Private Offices in New York, Seoul, and Goodwood, where collectors reportedly showed growing interest in more daring and contemporary commissions.
The Cabin Became A Hand-Painted "Kongoverse"
The biggest transformation happened inside. Kongo hand-painted the 19 veneered pieces, including the dashboard, center console, rear waterfall section, picnic tables, and of course, the famous Starlight Headliner. The artwork introduces planets, symbols, formulas, and abstract graphics inspired by what the artist calls the "Kongoverse." The Starlight Headliner features 1,344 fiber-optic "stars" and eight shooting stars, but now includes a "final star" that stretches the full length of the roof, something Rolls-Royce says is a first. The cabin's color layout is equally dramatic, split into four sections: Phoenix Red and Turchese in the front, and Forge Yellow and Mandarin in the back – the same color-coded formula applies to the lambswool carpets, too.
A Surprisingly Subtle Exterior
Compared to the wild cabin, the exterior is relatively restrained. At first glance, these could almost pass as ordinary Cullinans. Each SUV wears a Blue Crystal Over Black finish that reveals blue tones under sunlight, while gradient coachlines fade between different colors along each side of the body. Rolls-Royce also fitted differently colored brake calipers behind the 23-inch wheels to match the interior accents. Kongo's signature "tag" motif appears on the details too, like on the illuminated treadplates and hidden umbrellas.
Unsurprisingly, all five examples have already been sold to collectors. Given Rolls-Royce's famously expensive price tags, they were much more expensive than the 'ordinary' Cullinan Black Badge's $500,000 starting price.
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This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 6:45 AM.