Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens in Los Angeles with diverse visual storytelling collection
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, shaped like a spaceship and located near USC, opened on September 22, showcasing works ranging from classic paintings to street art, all centered on visual storytelling.
George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, unveiled the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles on Wednesday, marking the completion of a project that began eight years ago after earlier attempts in other cities. The 100,000-square-foot venue, designed by architect Ma Yansong to resemble a flying saucer, opened to the public on September 22 and aims to celebrate visual storytelling across media such as paintings, comics, murals, photography and sculpture.
The museum houses a wide array of pieces, including works by Judy Baca, Norman Rockwell, Diego Rivera, Banksy, as well as costume artifacts from "The Wizard of Oz" and drawings of Asterix and Garfield. "Visual storytelling is the art that surrounds us," said senior curator Ryan Linkof, noting that everyday images—from newspaper photos to street art—contribute to this narrative tradition. Hobson added that such storytelling "depicts the myths that anchor us, the stories that we believe in," while Lucas said pictures help make those myths feel real.
Divided into two main sections, the complex features gallery spaces, two cinemas, a mural collection and a research library. An open plaza with an oculus allows visitors to view the sky, and the interior includes immersive displays ranging from cave-painting reproductions to modern comic strips and manga. Galleries are organized by medium, theme and individual artists, with rooms dedicated to comics, children's books, community scenes, and science-fiction adventure.
The museum also includes a mural room showcasing Judith Baca’s Los Angeles River mural, several extracted Banksy pieces, and a large installation by French artist JR. Each work is identified by a simple plaque; visitors can use a phone-scanning system for additional context. "We’re encouraging people to have their own individual encounters with works of art and take away what they feel like speaks to them," Linkof said.
Museum CEO Tracey Bates highlighted the goal of elevating artists traditionally seen as commercial illustrators, noting that figures like Rockwell and comic-book creators are now presented alongside historic masterpieces such as a backlit photograph of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. The institution seeks to position narrative art as a unifying cultural force.