Sharon Stone, the actress turned artist, has created a new series of paintings titled "Rogues Gallery" that she claims were inspired by channeling spirits from different historical eras. The works include a portrait called "Him" (2025), which she says depicts an enslaved person who drowned in the East China Sea on a slave ship. Stone describes her process as communicating with these spirits while painting, evoking the spiritualist approach of artists like Hilma af Klint. She plans to exhibit the works in intimate, phone-free settings to enhance the ethereal experience.
This story matters because it highlights the growing crossover between Hollywood celebrity and the contemporary art world, where figures like Sharon Stone leverage their fame to enter the visual arts. The article also touches on the enduring fascination with spiritualism in art-making, referencing Hilma af Klint as a precedent. However, the sensational framing—channeling ghosts for inspiration—risks overshadowing the artistic merit of the work, making it a notable example of how celebrity-driven art projects generate media attention and public curiosity.