The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is extending the summer vibes into fall with a special performance by Charli XCX at its annual Art+Film Gala. This year, the event will honor artist Simone Leigh and filmmaker Baz Luhrmann.
As in previous years, Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio will serve as gala chairs, with Gucci as the presenting sponsor and outfitter for the honorees. The star-studded gala will take place on November 2 at LACMA. Simone Leigh, renowned for her large-scale sculptures of Black women featuring cowrie shells and raffia, is one of the most closely watched artists today. In 2022, she represented the United States at the Venice Biennale, where her work was part of the main exhibition, “The Milk of Dreams,” curated by Cecilia Alemani. Her contributions earned her the Biennale’s Golden Lion prize, including the piece “Brick House,” initially commissioned by Alemani for the High Line.
Leigh is also the focus of a traveling survey that began at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, which commissioned the 2022 American Pavilion. This exhibition is currently on display at LACMA and the California African American Museum (CAAM) in Los Angeles. Leigh has also participated in the 2012 and 2019 Whitney Biennials and won the Guggenheim Museum’s Hugo Boss Prize in 2018.
Baz Luhrmann, known for directing films such as “Romeo + Juliet” (1996), “Moulin Rouge!” (2001), “The Great Gatsby” (2013), and “Elvis” (2022), recently directed the cover for Vogue’s September issue. On the other hand, Charli XCX’s album “BRAT” featuring hits like “360,” “365,” and “Von Dutch” has been one of the standout albums of the summer.
LACMA director Michael Govan praised Simone Leigh as a captivating and important voice in contemporary art, highlighting her ability to blend different artistic traditions and center Black femme subjects. He also commended Baz Luhrmann for his imaginative and passionate cinematic work over three decades. Eva Chow expressed her excitement for Charli XCX’s performance, promising an unforgettable evening.
Sayart / Amia Nguyen, amyngwyen13@gmail.com
