Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Unveils in Los Angeles

Located just south of downtown Los Angeles stands the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a 300,000-square-foot establishment dedicated to visual storytelling. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum features over 1,300 pieces of art.

Aerial photographs of the museum in Exposition Park showcase its expansive size and unique architecture, designed by Ma Yansong. Billed as the first museum focused on narrative art, its collection spans diverse themes.

In an exclusive interview, co-founders Lucas and Hobson discussed the museum’s purpose. Lucas emphasized, “It’s not a ‘Star Wars’ museum; it’s about telling stories.” Despite this, the sci-fi franchise occupies around seven percent of the total collection, drawing fans with its allure.

The remaining galleries explore various themes such as myths, motherhood, work, family, and love. Hobson explains, “Myths are beliefs that may not be true, yet they hold emotional significance.” Lucas adds, “Love is complex, it isn’t always easy.” They aim to represent not only romantic views of love but also its challenges.

The journey to building the museum took nearly two decades and required overcoming numerous setbacks. Lucas invested around $1 billion of his own funds to bring this vision to life.

Reflecting on this commitment, Hobson recalled a pivotal moment when Lucas insisted on pursuing the project. He expressed a relentless drive to honor narrative illustrators, a concept met with curiosity from major museum directors.

The museum board includes filmmaker Steven Spielberg, Lucas’ long-time friend. Spielberg praises Lucas’ influence on the art world, providing a forum for illustration, mural, comic, and children’s art.

The museum showcases a diverse range, from Ralph McQuarrie’s “Star Wars” concept paintings to Banksy’s protest graffiti. Notable works include Norman Rockwell illustrations and early comic strips, such as an “Ally Oop” purchased by Lucas during his college years.

The opening of the museum promises an inspiring experience. Hobson hopes visitors will feel empowered to create their masterpieces. Lucas emphasizes innovative thinking, stating, “Contrarians think outside the box.” The museum opens its doors to the public on September 22.