George Lucas has unveiled his long-awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, offering the public a first glimpse of a vast collection that goes far beyond his iconic Star Wars universe.
The futuristic museum, located in Exposition Park, is the culmination of nearly two decades of planning and construction. Designed by architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, the 300,000-square-foot building has a dramatic, spaceship-like appearance and is surrounded by expansive public green space.
Lucas, who co-founded the museum with his wife, Mellody Hobson, said the project was one of the most challenging undertakings of his career. The filmmaker described the institution as a celebration of visual storytelling and a tribute to illustrators and artists whose work has often been overlooked by traditional museums.
While Star Wars fans will find plenty to see, the franchise represents only a small part of the museum’s collection. Its inaugural displays include more than 1,200 objects across more than 30 galleries, featuring paintings, comics, photography, sculpture, illustrations, costumes and film artifacts.
Works by renowned artists including Norman Rockwell, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Banksy will appear alongside comic-book art, children’s illustrations, manga and science-fiction imagery. A dedicated Star Wars in Motion exhibition includes vehicles, props, costumes and production artwork from the first six films.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is scheduled to open to the public on September 22, marking a major new addition to Los Angeles’ cultural landscape.