Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Steve Martin Curated An Art Exhibit
Can't spell "Martin" without "art." (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
()
Steve Martin is an actor, comedian, writer,Grammy-Award winning banjo player, and now, apparently, a museum curator.
The New York Times visited the Hammer Museum with Martin, where he's preparing an exhibit called "The Idea of North," which will showcase the work of Canadian painter Lawren Harris. Martin, who owns three Harris pieces, told the Times, "He’s Canada’s greatest artist and nobody in America knows who he is, with a few exceptions."
Ann Philbin, the Hammer’s director, saw a small painting by Harris hanging up at Martin's house during a dinner party three years ago, and was moved. A few months later, after diving into Harris' work, she asked Martin if he would curate the show. He said his first reaction was a big fat no, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. “It didn’t feel like dilettantism to me," he told the Times. "I’ve loved the work for so long. And a loving curator is an asset to an artist, probably." Martin then spent the last two years traveling Canada, visiting museums in search of Harris paintings and personally pitching for loans.
Harris' paintings are not cheap; "The Old Stump, Lake Superior" sold at auction in 2009 sold for $3.5 million. (The painting will be on display at the Hammer) Because of this, it's understandably difficult to borrow them, but Philbin said, "I do think the fact that Steve Martin was calling helped to open the door."
Support for LAist comes from
"The Idea of North: The Paintings Of Lawren Harris" opens at the Hammer Museum October 11.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist