Last night, the Brooklyn Museum hosted its annual fundraiser fete, the Artists Ball. The sold-out affair honored the artist Titus Kaphar, and between dining and cocktails, guests could peruse the blockbuster “Giants” exhibition comprised of the collection of Black-centric art of husband-and-wife musicians Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. Several artists that are featured in the show, such as Kennedy Yanko and Mickalene Thomas, were also in attendance.
Left to right: Maria Grazia Chiuri, Titus Kaphar, Anne Pasternak, and Mickalene Thomas. Photo: Darian Dicianno, courtesy of Dior.
View of the seated dinner. Photo: Jason Lowrie, courtesy of Dior.
Beatz was also on-hand to DJ at the raucous after party, held in the grand foyer underneath the museum’s towering KAWS sculpture. He played everything from hip-hop classics to R&B slow jams by the likes of Mary J. Blige. The crowd amiably sang along and imbibed.
A view of the atmosphere during the 2024 Brooklyn Artists Ball made possible by Dior at Brooklyn Museum on April 09, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Dior
Swizz Beatz. Photo: Jason Lowrie, courtesy of Dior.
It was a particularly well-dressed affair, even by New York gala standards. Dior was the major sponsor of the event, and creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri was one of the event chairs. The museum will be the setting for the luxury brand’s pre-fall show later this month, and of course hosted the hit 2021 exhibition dedicated to the house’s founder.
Niles Luther and Asahi Pompey by Jason Lowrie, courtesy of Dior.
Kennedy Yanko by Darian Dicianno, courtesy of Dior.
Kimberly Drew by Darian Diciann, courtesy of Dior.
The brand outfitted many celebrity attendees including Rosamund Pike, Naomi Watts, Mickalene Thomas, and of course, Swizz Beatz and Kaphar, who was heralded during the cocktail hour by a marching band waving banners depicting his paintings. A glamorous evening was had by all.
Left to right: Thomas Doherty, Kristine Froseth, Little Simz and Isabelle Fuhrman attend the 2024 Brooklyn Artists Ball made possible by Dior at Brooklyn Museum. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Dior
Rosamund Pike attends the 2024 Brooklyn Artists Ball made possible by Dior at Brooklyn Museum. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Dior
Marching band holding flags featuring Titus Kaphar painting. Photo: Jason Lowrie, courtesy of Dior.