Mischievous British artist makes L.A. bow

THE jury may still be out among critics on the merits of British artist Antony Micallef’s work, but that’s unlikely to stop art scenesters from heading to a vacant retail space in Hollywood that is acting as a gallery for Micallef’s Los Angeles debut show, “Impure Idols.”

Repped by Lazarides, the Soho gallery in London that helped make Banksy an art star, Micallef’s work is similarly mischievous. “Impure Idols,” which just opened at 6763 Hollywood Blvd. and runs through Sept. 29, features multiple paintings with titles such as “I Like to Draw,” “NYC Traffic Lights, LAPD Cop Car, Winged Minotaur and a Hooker” and “Collateral Damage.” Many of the sketches reference (and mock) Los Angeles, including the childlike “Death in L.A.”

Expect art hipsters at the exhibition this weekend, which will probably draw a similar crowd to the one at Banksy’s much-talked-about downtown happening last year. (Jude Law and Michael Stipe are just a couple of Micallef’s fans.) If any works are left to purchase after this week’s VIP opening, they can be had for $30,000 to $240,000.

-- Charlie Amter