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The world's largest Star Wars-themed oil painting is set to be a centerpiece in a new museum dedicated entirely to the iconic science fiction universe. This ambitious project will amalgamate the four largest collections of Star Wars memorabilia, aiming to showcase more than 1.5 million items—provided they find a suitable venue. The Saga Museum of Star Wars Memorabilia will be the culmination of this effort.
Steve Sansweet, the owner of Rancho Obi-Wan in Petaluma, California, manages the biggest of the four collections. He shares that the new museum venture stems from the need for a larger space to properly display their extensive collections. “One of my big frustrations is my lack of space to display the art,” Sansweet remarks. “It's especially trying because we have the world’s largest Star Wars oil painting but there’s only one wall where it fits.” This particular painting, "The 20th Century Space Opera" by Robert Xavier Burden, measures 15ft by 8ft and is valued at $200,000.
Sansweet's collection has amassed hundreds of original art pieces over the past two decades, including over 3,000 posters. Artists from various cultural backgrounds infuse their heritage with the Star Wars universe. For instance, Peruvian artists integrate bulls from traditional art into Darth Vader sculptures, and there's a wealth of Japanese Edo-inspired Star Wars art. This fusion reflects the global appeal and adaptability of Star Wars art.
The explosion in Star Wars art popularity correlates with fans' evolving interests. “Collectors might start out with action figures, but as they grow older, they turn to two and three-dimensional art. We have a lot of wooden and ceramic sculptures; it’s an amazing body of work,” Sansweet observes.
Sansweet, a retired journalist, transitioned from his career at the Wall Street Journal to Lucasfilm in 1996, eventually serving as director of content management and head of fan relations. He highlights George Lucas’s long-standing support for the arts, noting that Lucas frequently exercised his right of first refusal for Star Wars-related art, buying thousands of artworks for Lucasfilm.
The founders have initiated a $2 million fundraising campaign and intend to hire a museum design firm before choosing a location for the museum in the United States. This endeavor marks a significant milestone in the journey to celebrate and honor Star Wars art on a grand scale.
