Mixed Media Art Inspired by Oscar-Winning Documentary, Family History

On Oct. 5, 2 Rules Fine Art, will unveil its latest solo exhibition by painter, mixed media artist and photographer Michelle Scott, featuring pieces from her most recent body of work, “Kukan Series.”

Much like the epic plots of 1940s cinema, Scott’s large-scale mixed media paintings in “Kukan Series” depict the peaks and valleys of heroic characters and sweeping adventures. 

Inspired by photographs passed down from Scott’s grandfather, filmmaker Rey Scott, the works in this series mime the harrowing episodes of his travels and subsequent 1941 Oscar-winning documentary, “Kukan,” revealing uncharted war torn China during the late 1930s and 1940s and his relationship with the film’s Chinese-American producer, Li Ling-Ai.

Scott's large-scale pieces—often in excess of four feet in dimension—blend photographic prints, found materials, drawing and painting into complex strata of emotion, historical narrative and nostalgia. 

Invoking the styles of (and nostalgia for) the 1940s era of global cultural and political adventure, these mixed media paintings continue the journey started by her grandfather and the 1941 film, “Kukan,” bringing the story back around and exploring these themes from a contemporary vantage.

Scott and her "Kukan Series" artworks are also featured in the upcoming documentary (estimated release date of January 2015), "Finding Kukan," by filmmaker Robin Lung of Honolulu, Hawaii. 

Lung’s upcoming film chronicles the longtime search for "Kukan," the until recently lost Oscar-winning documentary and epic color film about war-torn China produced in collaboration between Chinese-American Li Ling-Ai and Scott's grandfather, Rey Scott, in 1941. 

Lung will attend the show opening and chronicle Michelle Scott’s gallery show for the documentary.

The October 5 opening reception will be held at 85 Church St. (on Church St. between Mill St. and Hansell St.) from 6 to 9 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public and will include live music and refreshments. 

The show will remain up through October 26, 2012.  Gallery hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Take a look at previous exhibits at 2 Rules Fine Art:

• The Art of Woodturning Comes to Marietta Square
• Found Objects Peek Out Under Acrylic Layers
• Tradition Meets Innovation in Fine Art
• Fine Art Student Show
• Urban Layers on Marietta Square
• Tour Georgia from Marietta Square
• Explore Love and Commercialism with Art on the Square
• Love and Commercialism in Marietta Art

Learn More about the gallery 2 Rules Fine Art and the mother-daughter duo who runs it.

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