Reinventing the Oscar: 13 Artists Reimagine Hollywood’s Iconic Trophy

Previously, when THR posed the challenge to L.A. and N.Y. artists to reimagine the Oscar statue, we were unsure of what the results would be. However, Alake Shilling’s depiction of a cheerful blue octopus, holding the statuette in nearly every tentacle, certainly took us by surprise. Similarly, Seth Bogart’s ceramic sculpture of an muscular body-builder Oscar caught our attention. But that’s not all; Trulee Hall’s performance art interpretation of the statue was equally intriguing, featuring a bald, sword-wielding model in a gold Speedo atop a life-size award pedestal.

As a gaming enthusiast, this year I invited 13 well-known artists from various fields like painting, sculpting, and ceramics to participate in our project again, thinking it would make us ready for their creations. Boy, was I wrong! They managed to astound me yet again… And I’m pretty sure you’ll feel the same awe.

As I flip through the pages ahead, prepare yourself for an astonishing array of reimagined Oscars that’ll blow your mind! From mischievous Oscar postcards to a colossal 10-foot totem pole, and let me tell you, one artist even added a whole new accessory to the Golden Boy statue. Buckle up, because this is going to be quite a ride!

You have the opportunity to view these pieces directly and up-close at the AF Projects gallery during the LA Art Week, which is ongoing until March 21st.

Ken Gun Min

@kengunminn

A few years back, an artist who once worked for Lucasfilm made a significant impact in the art world. His solo exhibit at Art Basel Miami was a hot topic in December, and he recently concluded exhibitions at MCA Denver and SCAD in Georgia. “To me,” he explains, “Oscar isn’t just an award; it’s a symbolic figure that seems almost surreal, filled with intense emotions and longings. In my paintings, I envision it as a trophy-like form with a head of blazing flowers and a body resembling a muscular, homoerotic figure or a go-go dancer, bedecked in a bikini made of shimmering gems.

Rogan Gregory

@rogangregory

The acclaimed fashion designer, who has now ventured into ceramic sculpture, recently unveiled a piece from his kiln that he claims represents an artifact used in ancient rituals honoring artistic achievements within a civilization on the cusp of its golden age’s decline. This is how he describes his new creation, which he calls “Oscar”.

Kathryn Andrews

@thekathrynandrews

One artist who gained recognition during the initial Made in L.A. biennial in 2013 is Andrews, who has since garnered critical acclaim with exhibitions at MCA Chicago and David Kordansky Gallery in Los Angeles. More recently, she established The Judith Center, advocating for gender equality. Her latest project involves posters addressing gender-related issues, a theme that could potentially be reflected in the innovative reinterpretation of Oscar she presented to THR. Andrews expresses that her work is inspired by the frustration of women being marginalized in Hollywood, viewing the Oscar statue as a symbol with questionable integrity.

Drake Carr

@drake.carr

The figurative artist has graced magazines such as Vogue and W with his portraits, and is set to have a solo exhibition at the Megan Mulrooney Gallery in West Hollywood next April. His paintings were inspired by a fictional story he concocted in his mind about an opera titled “The Oscar,” where performers vie for the lead dancer’s affection, referred to as “The Trophy.

Sachi Moskowitz

@sachimoskowitz

She’s exhibited in Brussels and Venice, and her display at Untitled Art, Miami Beach, was completely sold out. Recognized for creating intricate blue-and-white ceramic pieces, she decided to incorporate gold for this sculpture, a homage to a winged Greek goddess named Nike. “Nike would fly over battlefields to identify victors,” she elaborates. “Once she found one, she bestowed him with fame and honor by presenting him with a wreath of laurel leaves. Through my unique interpretation, Nike is now the award itself, represented by an Oscar-like trophy.

Rob Pruitt

@robpruitt5000

For over thirty years, this celebrated artist from New York has undertaken a variety of projects, ranging from setting up a cocaine buffet inside an NYC gallery to erecting a stainless steel tribute to Andy Warhol in Union Square. For THR, the self-proclaimed eBay enthusiast scoured the platform for any item bearing the name “Oscar”. “I purchased the objects that caught my eye,” he explains, “mostly characters named Oscar – like a Muppet, a few musicians, a well-known poet of yore, an Olympic murderer, a hot dog company, and a fashion designer. I then carefully selected and arranged the items I found most appealing on a wall.

Umar Rashid

@frohawktwofeathers

Beyond being recognized as Frohawk Two Feathers or Hi-Fidel when he raps, this artist is renowned for creating canvases brimming with intricate mythohistorical narratives. In his own words, “I blend contemporary pop culture into historical pieces, and in my latest work, I’ve included Marvel Comics’ Juggernaut, a Greek-inspired BAFTA mask, and Elton John’s ‘Benny and the Jets.’ This piece was born from a vivid dream of mine. I am quite content with how it has materialized. The complexity of this artwork promises numerous insights with each viewing.

Elliott Hundley

@elliotthundley

His artistic creations can be found in the everlasting exhibits at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, as well as at the Guggenheim and Museum of Modern Art in New York City. For THR, he fashioned an impressive 10-foot-tall monolith. “My Oscar this year serves as a totemic symbol for us,” he elaborates, “a blend of a vibrant, mobile display case adorned with feathers, beads, sequins, tassels, and furs – and a scorched palm tree.

Jess Valice

@jessvalice

At only 29 years old, this neuroscientist-turned-rising art sensation has already showcased her work in New York, Miami, Milan, London, and Paris. When asked about the inspiration for one of her drawings, she explained, “The initial concept didn’t come easily; instead, I began sketching a sculpture and discovered that its molded form bore a striking resemblance to someone in a straitjacket. This observation sparked my creativity, leading me to explore and manipulate the straitjacket theme.

Grant Levy-Lucero

@grantlevylucero

Primarily recognized for his ceramics that blend pop elements, such as ironic Disneyland castles and Morton Salt containers, he chose to craft an oversized decanter in the form of a deliberately slanted figurine (the piece is named “Tipsy Oscar”). “Everyone can easily uncork it and enjoy a generous gulp of the finest drink,” he states.

Ellen Jong

@___ellenjong

Originally famed for her groundbreaking 2006 photo series titled “Pees on Earth,” she has lately transitioned her work towards sculpture, using black Chinese calligraphy ink. The water flowing from her reimagined Oscar statue takes the form of an ink-black liquid, creating a gown-like fountain. She explains, “I naturally perceive the feminine in various things, so I chose to give Oscar a graceful new shape,” thus naming it “Oscar-ella.

Austyn Weiner

@austyn

During the COVID-19 pandemic, this abstract artist found solace in her craft by designing and mailing herself motivational postcards as a means to stay mentally sound. She also utilized this technique for her THR Art of Oscar submission. “These postcards represent an ongoing investigation that provides a contrast to my larger-scale paintings,” she explains. “Taking the time to create these small, humorous vignettes enables me to ponder the current condition of our world.

Conrad Ruíz

@zomgconradical

As a gamer with an artistic side, I’ve always been known for my fiery creations, even before this year’s heart-wrenching LA wildfires. After returning from a solo exhibit in Munich, I took up the challenge to create an Oscar masterpiece. “I saw the statuette as a representation of Hollywood,” I said. “Both the city and its cinematic spirit have been marked by fire, but the statuette stands tall as a symbol of resilience.

The story you’re reading was published in the February 26th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. If you want to stay updated with such stories, consider subscribing by clicking here.

2025-03-02 21:25