Adrien Brody’s $425,000 Marilyn Monroe Artwork Under Review
Adrien Brody isn’t just an Oscar-winning actor; he’s also a talented painter.
The Brutalist star is currently exhibiting his newest mixed-media collection, titled “Made in America,” at Eden Gallery in New York City, running until June 28. The works include a variety of pop culture icons such as Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Marilyn Monroe, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Rats and mice prominently feature in the actor’s art, reflecting Brody’s experiences in New York City.
“I grew up in New York, where rats and mice were everywhere, and they symbolize many things for me,” The Brutalist star shared with Cultured magazine. “I always felt empathy for the rats and mice I saw on my way to school in the subways — how everyone would react with disgust.”
Reviews of the actor’s collection have been mixed, with some critics deeming his work “mediocre” and “horrendous,” while The New York Times praised Brody as an “impassioned painter.”
“With its faux naïve style and average production value, Brody’s pieces raise the question: Why are we still discussing them?” one critic remarked in artnet. “The simple truth is that celebrity art draws attention (think Hunter Biden, George W. Bush, Jim Carrey, Lucy Liu, and others). But it’s also telling that such art frequently falls short. Fame often creates an impression of importance, and fans tend to follow.”
A painting by Brody featuring a cut-out of Marilyn Monroe on a collaged background recently fetched an impressive $425,000 at the amfAR Cannes Gala. Guy Klimovsky, CEO of Eden Gallery, stated to the Times that Brody is “genuine” and “true to himself.”
“Yes, people will come because of him, but they’ll soon forget,” he added regarding the actor’s art venture. “When I see a piece of art, without knowing who made it, the works are vibrant, engaging, and connected to U.S. history and culture.”
Yet, art critic Annie Armstrong mentioned she’s spent “enough brain cells trying to analyze” Brody’s work.
“The noticeable difference between Brody’s efforts and those of any typical red-chip artist is how frequently he includes his own image,” Armstrong commented in her “Wet Paint” column.
On the other hand, she acknowledged Brody for making “an interesting move.”
“A lot of red-chip art hinges on celebrity imagery, so it’s fascinating to see a papier-mâché cut-out of Brody himself affixed to a canvas with an oversized Basquiat crown painted above him,” she noted. “He understands the art canon.”
Fresh from his 2025 Oscars win for The Brutalist, Brody revealed to The New York Times that he’s diving back into his art since he currently has no movie or television projects.
“Right now, I’m an unemployed actor,” he told the publication in a review published on June 4. “I realize that if I don’t seize this opportunity, I may not have another chance for a while. It’s time to let it flow.”
