LACMA to laud Bradford, Lucas

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art announced that L.A. artist Mark Bradford and “Star Wars” creator George Lucas will be the honorees at the Art + Film Gala, the annual fundraiser set for Nov. 4.

“LACMA has enjoyed a long relationship with Mark, from our first purchase of his work in 2002 as part of the museum’s ‘Art Here and Now’ program to the acquisition of his monumental 2013 painting ‘Shoot the Coin,’ ” LACMA Director Michael Govan said in the announcement this week, while also citing the artist’s work in educational projects and his Leimert Park-based Art + Practice program.

Govan noted the filmmaker’s devotion to visual arts, including the pending construction of a museum in Exposition Park. “George’s epic new museum is one of the greatest cultural philanthropic gifts ever made in Los Angeles, and will benefit local communities as well as encourage a deeper understanding of narrative arts,” he said.

LACMA’s Art + Film Gala will be co-chaired by museum trustee Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio. Last year’s gala, honoring light and space artist Robert Irwin and Oscar-winning filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow, raised more than $3.6 million for the museum. Proceeds go toward LACMA’s film initiatives, future exhibitions, art acquisitions and educational programming.