The Los Angeles County Museum of Art will honor Kathryn Bigelow for her illustrious career at its sixth annual Art + Film Gala this fall.
Bigelow made history in 2010 when she became the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director. Long before she helmed “The Hurt Locker,” Bigelow embarked on a different career path. The Los Angeles Times writes that she “was an aspiring visual artist — first as a student at the San Francisco Art Institute and later as a painter looking to make her name in New York’s bohemian art scene during the 1970’s.”
It wasn’t until the early ’80s that Bigelow transitioned to filmmaking, no doubt bolstered by her background in visual arts. “The Loveless,” her 1982 directorial debut, centered on a motorcycle gang and starred Willem Dafoe.
“Kathryn’s films are visually and thematically captivating and truly exemplify her singular vision as an artist,” said LACMA director Michael Govan.
Bigelow’s next project will tackle the 1967 Detroit riots. Anthony Mackie (“Captain America” franchise, “The Hurt Locker”) and John Boyega (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) star. The film will be released next year.
The Art + Film Gala is set to take place October 29. Proceeds from the event will go towards incorporating more film-related content into the museum’s curatorial programming, as well as general exhibitions and museum functions.
