Guns and Glitter: How L.A.’s Top Artists Reimagine the Oscar

Guns and Glitter: How L.A.’s Top Artists Reimagine the Oscar The gold statuette has weathered 97 ceremonies, countless acceptance-speech tears and at least one airport dumpster. But can it survive being reinterpreted by an ensemble of boundary-pushing West Coast artists? By Michael Slenske Plus Icon Michael Slenske View All March 14, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment For the third consecutive year, The Hollywood Reporter has handed Hollywood’s most coveted trophy to a group of revered Los Angeles artists and asked them to reinvent it. As happens every year, the resulting statuary would have Cedric Gibbons — the original Oscar artist who first whipped up the figurine in 1928 — spinning in his grave. Previous Oscar art portfolios gave us Kenny Scharf launching the little gold man into deep space, Karon Davis recasting him as an ancient Egyptian deity and Austyn Weiner turning him into a mischievous mail-art project. This year’s class is no less unruly. Among the highlights: a glazed earthenware candelabra evoking a biblical oil lamp, a mirrored cupid doll titled This Is Spinal Tap , an Oscar in a wheelchair and one gold statuette sharing a still life with a loaded revolver. Idol worship this is not. Related Stories Movies Kate Hudson Accepts Special Honor at ICG Publicists Awards as 'Sinners' and 'The Pitt' Take Top Prizes TV Conan O'Brien Must Go ... On Every Podcast to Promote the Oscars Because these works deserve more than just some spreads in a magazine, we’re bringing the portfolio off the page for the third time — following previous outings at Deitch and AF Projects — with an exhibition at West Hollywood’s Megan Mulrooney Gallery, March 12 through 21. See you at the show. Eddie Ruscha and Francesca Gabbiani One of L.A.’s art-world power couples, Ruscha (son of Ed)...