IS THIS MICHAEL JACKSON MURAL FLATTERING OR INSULTING?

Filed Under: Art > Michael Jackson

Photo Credit: Splash News

Murals as tributes to Michael Jackson are popping up on blank walls around Los Angeles. This particular one looks suspiciously like a woman. Who do you think this artwork resembles?

IF BRAD IS MISSING, ANGELINA MIGHT FIND HIM AT THE BRISTOL MUSEUM

Filed Under: Art > Banksy > Brad Pitt > Bristol Museum

Our favorite subversive graffiti artist Banksy suddenly unveiled a show of over a hundred pieces secretly installed at the Bristol Museum in the UK. It’s his largest show ever, and most of the creations were never shown before in his country. (Brad Pitt is among his celebrity collectors.) There are lines around the block to see his humerous and inventive show – one memorable work is a photo of tragic starving African children and one is wearing a t-shirt that says “I Hate Mondays.” Also featured is a thought provoking sculpture that looks like a living breathing Cheetah but the other side reveals it has been made into a fur coat. People walk out of the show laughing and raving about it. Wish we were there.

TONY CURTIS IS THRILLED TO BE WORKING AGAIN

Filed Under: Art > Tony Curtis

Photo Credit: Splash News
Tony Curtis, 82, was surprised and delighted to find himself at Harrod’s in London this week selling his Hollywood inspired artwork for up to $30,000 per item. He almost died in 2006 when he spent 7 weeks in the hospital with pneumonia. Since then he has been slowly recovering and regaining the use of his limbs, with the help of his much younger wife Jill. After that near-fatal hospitalization he stopped wearing the pompadour toupee that he has worn for years, and seems happy without it.

MARY-KATE OLSEN GETS SOME CULTURAL STIMULATION

Filed Under: Art > Art Basel > Mary Kate Olsen

Photo Credit: Splash News

You’d never guess where Mary-Katel Olsen was when this photo was taken. Miami Beach! And NO giant sunglasses! She looks more Soho than Miami in that velvet hat and velvet jacket, but she’s appropriately dressed for the cultural art event she’s going to. She and her boyfriend Nate Lowman and friends attended the prestigious Art Basel event, to see and perhaps invest in an amazing international selection of art.

PERHAPS A RARE PHOTO OF BANKSY

Filed Under: Art > Banksy

Photo Credit: Splash News

This photo is significant because it MIGHT be a picture of the subversive underground graffiti artist known as Banksy. His identity is a secret and nobody knows what he looks like – his satirical art suddenly appears in unexpected places or on brick walls. He has an installation in New York right now called “Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill.” One piece features a mother hen watching over her baby chicken Mcnuggets as they peck at a BBQ sauce packet. Two hooded men were spotted putting up this huge framed painting held by two hands on the side of an East Village building. By the way, his art sells for millions.

WILL THE REAL DOLLY PARTON PLEASE STAND UP?

Filed Under: 9 to 5 > Art > Dolly Parton

If you know what’s good for you, you’ll show up for the art opening called Dollypop tonight at the WOW storefront gallery at 6650 Hollywood Blvd. The show is dedicated to all the manifestations of our beloved icon Dolly Parton and this happens to also be the same week that Dolly’s musical “9 to 5″ opened at the Ahmanson theater. The wacky art show includes Dolly art of all kinds -including a portrait made totally of chewed bubblegum. Look for art by Norman Korpi and Bubbles the artist. Pink champagne is on the house. We heard a rumor that the REAL Dolly might show up (she’s in town) but will we recognize her among all those impersonators?

AMY WINEHOUSE IS A BIG AUDREY HEPBURN FAN

Filed Under: Amy Winehouse > Art > Audrey Hepburn > Breakfast at Tiffany's

Photo Credit: Splash News
We don't have any new pictures of Amy Winehouse today, but what we DO have is the picture of an item that was hanging on Amy’s wall. She moved a bunch of her valuables out of her London flat and this was one of the things loaded into a car. Who would have guessed that Amy was a fan of Audrey Hepburn and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s?

SHIA LABEOUF TOILET SEATS ARE A HOT COMMODITY

Filed Under: Art > DUI > Shia LaBeouf > Toilet seats

Photo Credit: Splash News

Maybe the most interesting thing about Shia LaBeouf’s truck rolling over was what flew out the window. The street around his accident was strewn with his gym bag, hot pizza in a box, and several brand new toilet seats. Shia and his friends in Echo Park like to express their artistic side by decorating toilet seats. (It’s better than graffiti) They paint pictures and sometimes mottos like “Pooperazzi” or “High End For Your Rear End.” Shia and his buddies make extra money by selling their fancy toilet seats at local flea markets. He IS a character. We’ll be watching for him at the Rose Bowl.

YOKO ONO'S ARTISTIC ENDEAVOR IS COMING TO PASADENA

Filed Under: Art > Elliot Mintz > Yoko Ono

Photo Credit: Buzz Foto

Yoko Ono’s longtime publicist Elliott Mintz is a man of many talents. It seems like only yesterday that he was Paris Hilton’s constant companion – in and out of tanning salons, nightclubs, whatever. They were together so much they started to look and dress alike. Yoko has been his client for many years but her look never rubbed off on him. Here they are at Mr Chow. Yoko has been preparing an art installation called “Wish Trees” that can be seen at One Colorado in Pasadena from August 2 to November 9.

MADONNA AS YOU'VE NEVER SEEN HER BEFORE

Filed Under: Art > Madonna > World Of Wonder

(Albert Crudo’s “McDonna: Over a Billion Serviced”)
Here’s a treat for Madonna fans – and we KNOW you’re out there! The WOW Storefront Gallery at 6650 Hollywood Blvd is having a spectacular opening on Friday, May 23, called “Dial M for Madonna” and it’s all about Madonna inspired art. Over forty artists are showing images of her decades long career in the form of paintings, sculptures, photography and videos. Be sure to check out the conical bra made of chocolate. Oh, and help yourself to all the Kabbalah water you can drink.