From Vanity Fair · Nate Freeman · · 1m 30s
Vija Celmins Honored by LACMA
88-year-old artist Vija Celmins, known for ocean paintings, receives LACMA Art+Film Gala honor.
In brief
88-year-old artist Vija Celmins, known for ocean paintings, receives LACMA Art+Film Gala honor. Vija Celmins, 88, a master of ocean-themed art, is honored at LACMA Art+Film Gala with Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow. Originally reported by Vanity Fair.
Vija Celmins Studio
88-year-old artist Vija Celmins has lived in her SoHo studio for nearly 50 years.
“Then I finally thought, gee, maybe I could put a couch in here”
Ocean Paintings
Celmins creates intricate ocean-themed works, including a drypoint print made in 2016.
“I did a fucking lot of oceans, as you know”
Artistic Legacy
Celmins has a retrospective at the Met Breuer and shows new work at Matthew Marks Gallery.
“She’s seen the Dune movies and, like Villeneuve, is a big fan of the desert”
LACMA Gala
Celmins is honored at LACMA Art+Film Gala with Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow.
“She’s excited about meeting Denis Villeneuve, who directed the Dune movies”
Artistic Connections
Celmins has deep connections with artists like Robert Therrien and H.C. Westermann.
“He gave me this [a dog’s nose sculpture]”
Desert Inspiration
Celmins draws inspiration from desert landscapes and military aircraft.
“I used to wave at them. They go really low, and they just go like, vvvvvrrroooooom !”
Artistic History
Celmins worked in Venice Beach before moving to Long Island for her studio.
“She moved into the SoHo place after two decades working in Venice Beach”
Artistic Process
Celmins applies graphite to paper in slow, methodical marks to create hyperreal landscapes.
“I mean, I did a fucking lot of oceans, as you know”
Artistic Community
Celmins has few remaining friends, including Ed Moses and Kenny Price.
“I loved Kenny”
Artistic Legacy
Celmins has a deep respect for Robert Therrien’s work despite their differences.
“He was a very unusual person”
Upcoming Events
Celmins will visit her old studio and see Riko Mizuno, 94, at LACMA Gala.
“She’s going to see Riko Mizuno, her Los Angeles art dealer, who is currently 94 years old”
Artistic Reflection
Celmins reflects on her long career and the passage of time through her art.
“I used to be able to see down the street before they built this ugly pink building”
Artistic Future
Celmins plans to visit Death Valley desert and create new art.
“I really like the Death Valley desert because it’s so vast, so terrific”
The one thing
Vija Celmins, 88, a master of ocean-themed art, is honored at LACMA Art+Film Gala with Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow.
