# Vija Celmins Honored by LACMA

> 88-year-old artist Vija Celmins, known for ocean paintings, receives LACMA Art+Film Gala honor.
- Title: Vija Celmins Honored by LACMA · Vanity Fair | Shortify
- Summary: 88-year-old artist Vija Celmins, known for ocean paintings, receives LACMA Art+Film Gala honor.
- Keywords: vija celmins, lacma, art gallery, lacma art film gala, leonardo dicaprio, eva chow, ocean paintings, dune movies, robert therrien, h.c. westermann, Vanity Fair
- Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/vija-celmins-the-ultimate-artists-artist-gets-honored-by-lacma
- Author: Nate Freeman
- Published: 2026-11-06T22:30:37.49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: vija celmins, lacma, art gallery, lacma art film gala, leonardo dicaprio, eva chow, ocean paintings, dune movies, robert therrien, h.c. westermann
## 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
## Key takeaway

Vija Celmins, 88, a master of ocean-themed art, is honored at LACMA Art+Film Gala with Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow.