On Saturday, September 14, 2013, Corey Helford Gallery presents new works by internationally collected artist Nataly (Kukula) Abramovitch. Following the success of her previous sold-out shows, Kukula returns to Corey Helford for her third exhibition, entitled “The Adventures of Raspberry Finn”, featuring eleven new paintings, and a show catalog of her new paintings and sketches. Drawing inspiration from Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn and Russian fashion designer Ulyana Sergeenko, Kukula fuses couture with Americana. “Her [Sergeenko] spring collection told a similar tale of an imaginary personal journey. It brought the little-known traditions of the Russian peasantry right into the heart of modern Paris, and for good measure it incorporated my favorite touches of Victorian era Americana. Her poetic designs, a unique combination of high-minded couture and a rambling country style, inspired me to return to my imaginary prairie in order to give it form” Kukula explains.

Tom and Becky from Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, are transformed into a painting of two of Kukula’s provactive, yet innocent girls on a small countryside bridge. Her vision of Tom, a coquettish, scantily, clad vixen, sits with her legs dangling over the bridge while she smokes a corn cob pipe and fishes. Becky stands above Tom in a mini-skirt gown, complete with a matching parasol. Kukula notes, “in this exhibition, I feminize classic country adventure stories that were originally tailored to bratty boys.” Open to the public, the inaugural reception for “The Adventures of Raspberry Finn” will take place on Saturday, September 14 from 7 to 10pm, and the exhibition will be on view until October 19, 2013.