LACMA Names Baz Luhrmann, Simone Leigh as Art+Film Gala Honorees

Honorees for this year’s edition of LACMA‘s Art+Film Gala have been revealed.

Multi-disciplinary artist Simone Leigh and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Lurhmann will be honored at the 13th annual gala, held on Saturday, Nov. 2. The night will also feature a performance by musical guest Charli XCX, following her recent album Brat becoming one of the summer’s biggest hits. 

LACMA trustee Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio will return as co-chairs, a position they have jointly held since 2011. Gucci, which has sponsored previous iterations of the gala, is teaming up with LACMA again for the event. 

According to the museum, the gala’s proceeds are directed towards enhancing LACMA’s “initiative to make film more central to the museum’s curatorial programming, while also funding LACMA’s broader mission. This includes exhibitions, acquisitions and educational programming that explore the intersection of art and film.” 

“Simone Leigh is one of the most captivating and important voices in contemporary art, brilliantly melding an array of different artistic traditions and centering Black femme subjects in powerful and moving ways,” Michael Govan, LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director, shared in a statement. Leigh’s work is currently featured in an exhibition at both the LACMA and the California African American Museum (CAAM).

“Baz Luhrmann has crafted an emotional cinematic oeuvre over three decades, driven by his imagination and passion,” continued Govan. “We are excited to honor him alongside Simone and celebrate their remarkable careers.” 

“I’m excited to bring an incredible group of people together to pay tribute to the extraordinary contributions of Simone Leigh and Baz Luhrmann,” added Eva Chow, who serves as one of the Gala’s co-chairs. “I’m grateful for our longstanding partner Gucci for their profound generosity to LACMA and continued belief in the power of art and film. And I can’t wait for our amazing musical guest Charli XCX to bring the house down. It’s going to be a great evening!” 

Luhrmann is a celebrated Australian filmmaker, known for 1996’s Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge, Australia, The Great Gatsby and his recent Academy Award nominated biopic, Elvis. 

Meanwhile, Leigh is best known for her ceramic and bronze sculptures, but her multi-disciplinary work extends to video and installation. Her exhibits have been displayed at some of the most renowned art museums, including the Guggenheim and Tate Gallery, among others. Her art is currently featured in an exhibition at both the LACMA and the California African American Museum (CAAM). In 2022, Leigh had the honor of representing the U.S. at the 59th annual Venice Biennale, featuring her exhibition Simone Leigh: Sovereignty.