Airwallex
Shifted Perspectives 2.0
2025
Following the success of their 2024 Global Shifted Perspectives campaign, Airwallex partnered with Whale to bring the next chapter to life, this time through a powerful collaboration with acclaimed Indigenous Australian artist Reko Rennie.
Teaming up with McLaren for the 2025 Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix, the campaign centres around a show-stopping McLaren Artura, transformed by Rennie into a rolling artwork. Whale was entrusted to fully concept, develop and produce the campaign.
Known for his vibrant, unapologetic use of First Nations iconography, Reko’s bespoke car design blends fluorescent camouflage with bold diamond patterns. The artwork doesn’t hide. It demands attention, celebrating identity while challenging long-held ideas of visibility and belonging. Having admired Reko’s work for years, it was a huge honour for Whale to collaborate so closely with him and bring his vision to life.
In addition to the car’s design, Whale spearheaded the idea of commissioning an art film, directed by Rennie, as a natural extension of his critically acclaimed body of work. Fresh from his major retrospective at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), this marks the first time Rennie has directed a film in partnership with a brand. The film delves into the intersection of art, identity, and performance, further amplifying the campaign’s message.
From the outset, we worked hand in hand with Reko to produce both the car artwork and the film, pushing the boundaries of what a brand partnership can look like when creativity leads the way.
The film premiered to a VIP audience including Oscar Piastri (more on the event) during Melbourne Grand Prix and was supported by a suite of activations across the city. This included a tram wrapped in Reko’s artwork and a public display of the Artura and art film in the CBD from March 13 to 16.
As part of the wider storytelling, Whale also produced an intimate interview with McLaren’s Melbourne-born driver Oscar Piastri at the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK, adding a personal lens to the themes of performance and perspective.
