Artist Kukula at The Shooting Gallery in San Francisco.

October 13, 2007 The Shooting Gallery opening reception for "Mirror Mirror on the Wall" presented new works by Travis Louie, Kris Lewis, Kukula. Justin Giarla, the gallery's owner and show curator, and Kukula, graciously allowed me to shoot.
http://ShootingGallerySF.com
I met Kukula in Berkeley in 2005 at a street fair and since then she has been featured in numerous magazine articles and exhibits, building a strong following of collectors. Kukula does paneled narrative graphic "comics" that have appeared in various Pop-Surrealism and New Mission School focused publications. There's a kinship with Mark Ryden and others, influenced by Japanese Manga and Early twentieth century Disney and American cartoons. While Ryden comments on society through child dreamscapes, Kuklas portraits suggest personal body politics.
http://kukulaland.com
Her small paintings started at 3000 USD; a steep trajectory from a few years ago when she did similar painting on purses. Kukula was demurely satisfied with several red dots.

In the backrooms, side galleries and upstairs, splayed mind bending artwork from many others; a testament to Justin Giarla's predilection for provocation.

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[peaceloveLA]

beautiful artwork. <3

[jasonzzz5]

when is everyone going to realise that artists are not trying to 'say' anything, they are just creating art....assuming that they are trying to make a statement, or express this, or that, is just bullshit that keeps rich idiots suitably amused....much to the amusement of the actual artists!!!!!!

[chewiebaby]

"Everyone knows it's Friday"

[chewiebaby]

Just more artwork by a spoiled "artist" that looks like Rebecca Black.

[clsacose]

@SkitzoMultiple Everyone's opinion is different, but the name calling here, GROWUP!

[SkitzoMultiple]

@clsacose are you stupid... they don't have to be the same to see the similarities... this looks a lot like Rydens work.

[5950Maria]

bambine tristi! troppo

[clsacose]

I am a lover of art myself, and am very familiar with who Mark Ryden is, and I am also a big fan of his. I however do not see the similarities in his work and in Kukula's, so therefore I do not see what the bickering is all about. Ryden has had various themes in his collections, from vegetarianism to religion even political, Kukula's art to me, has a constant sense of sadness and heartbreak, without much of a drastic change in theme as Ryden's, so, in essence, it's like comparing an apple to an

[sirepurdue]

Art i San Francisco! Nothing to say.

[Mentocthemindtaker]

@meghanscotti I disagree. See my answer to 'willow4eva'. I think the 'lack of substance' provides the message. Which gives you the substance. If that makes sense to you.

[Mentocthemindtaker]

@wiilover4eva Ok, I'm just guessing here, but my impression from her artwork is that she is commenting on female body image. This would explain the nudity and also why all the figures look like fairly uninteresting 'people'. Like the artist is saying "yes, they're nice to look at, almost beautiful, but completely two dimensional". These pictures to me are almost deliberately uninteresting. (But I do like them!)