George Lucas Adds Five Hebru Brantley Works to His Collection

George Lucas.
Photo: © 2014 Patrick McMullan Company, Inc.

After months of deliberation, George Lucas finally selected Chicago as the home for his Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, slated to open in 2018. The museum is expected to cost a whopping $300 million to complete, but it appears Lucas is still looking to add to his expansive collection of art, film, and pop culture memorabilia.

According to Page Six, the Star Wars director just scooped up five pieces—two paintings and three sculptures—by Chicago Pop artist Hebru Brantley.

Hebru Brantley, The Watch (2013)
Photo via Public Art in Chicago

Brantley, who also has loyal fans among celebrity art collectors, such as Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Swizz Beatz, is known for his graffiti-inspired, socially charged depictions of both children and pop culture icons. It’s easy to see why Brantley’s work, along with his Chicago roots, would appeal to Lucas.

The artist is, of course, also a fan of Lucas’s seminal films. The pair reportedly spent a few hours at Brantley’s studio chatting before Lucas made the big purchase.

Does this mean we’ll be seeing work by Brantley and perhaps other Chicago artists in the museum? Only time will tell.