Born in a somewhat isolated village north of Tel Aviv, Kukula grew up surrounded by many Holocaust survivors. The horror stories told by these retirees would prove to be influential, as Kukula blended them into the healthy mix of typical princess fantasies already entrenched in her imagination. This juxtaposition of real life and sugary sweetness forms the basis for most of Kukula's work. Her paintings focus on very feminine, doll-like characters that are inspired by pop culture and classical European portraiture, often set against dark imagery.

Immortal Artifacts opens December 19 at the Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City and runs through January 9, 2010.



Immortal Artifacts



Princess in the Sky



4 Girls and A Cello