Interview with Murmur

A Kukula MURMUR Fantasy

Nataly Kukula Abramovitch is an artist we’re following and falling for constantly. Hers is a world of painted porcelain tea sets, of rococo infused decorums, of roses, silk ropes and round lollipops. The women she paints are princesses of an unblushing dreamland, who adorn their bodies with precious corsets, and live surrounded by pet octopuses and other fabulous creatures. MURMUR is now part of that universe, which is the perfect pretext to take you on a short journey through her amazing art and vision:

Tell us a bit about how your art developed over time and how this universe that you now paint came to be. Were you influenced by manga in any way? Which were the main pillars for your artistic style?

First of all, yes! Manga ans Anime were a big influence on me since I was very little. Most of the TV shows on our 80’s one-channel Israeli TV were Japanese Anime. The name Kukula actually comes from one of my favorite TV shows as a tiny kid. In general, I think TV was a big influence because we had lots of classical music and ballet airing as well, and I was a little weird kid with not many friends, so I watched whatever was on. I loved opera shows and I think it formed the way I’m thinking now, as a very romantic and dramatic adult. I had Coppélia ballet on VHS and watched it a million times. I loved when she was acting like a living doll, so that must have formed the general concept in my work today.

Your paintings have a magical way of mixing innocence with eroticism. How do you relate to these two aspects of a woman’s personality?

Being a woman is a quite confusing role. When we are young women or little girls, we already know what kind of women we will be one day – the innocence is there, but also the awareness of womanhood is already being formed. As older women, I believe we always remember how we were as younger women. We are still going to make similar fashion decisions. This is why pink sparkly fabric will always be in. Girls love how I dress more than anyone.

Some women believe that we choose our fashion for the pleasure of men, and some do so. I call it a dishonest style, rather you fighting it or obeying… you are not you.

How do clothes help you live fantasies and express hidden sides of your personality in real life?

As I mentioned before, I’m very inspired by stage performances, it’s like we have a role in life that can be changed daily by our mood, and this role needs a costume to be perfected. Whatever our mood will be that day, it will be the reason why we choose to wear what we choose. I really don’t understand people who don’t like fashion, it’s just a part of being human, no? Kind of like not liking desserts and only eating dry pasta and raw eggs.

If MURMUR were one of your paintings, what it would look like?

Well, I already painted MURMUR twice. The brand’s designs convey to my work this strength of a mature, independent, opinionated woman. A role I sometimes can’t portray easily. It’s so feminine and detailed, but structured and classic. It’s also timeless. I will paint it many more times until you’ll ask me to stop.

Three fetish objects that the girls in your paintings surely have in their drawers, and why.

A gag ball to shut up stupid people or to use on one self so she won’t get in trouble. When I was little, I used to curse a lot and called everyone “shit” and “dumb”. One day the daycare teacher put band aid on my mouth for a full day and it made me mad! But today I wish I put band aid on my mouth sometimes… ’cause I say everything!

A rope made of silk with big tassels… to pull things… tie them, and also use as a nice belt!

Thigh high boots, for warmth when you don’t wear pants.