Nassau, Bahamas - The National Art
Gallery of The Bahamas presents the
NAGB Film Series: My Kid Could
Paint That (2007) on
Friday, October 28th, 2011 at 7pm.
In
keeping with the theme of the Kendal Hanna Restrospective Exhibition,
"Happy Birthday to Me," now on at the NAGB, the Gallery is pleased to
host a series of films that delves into the relationship between the
mind and the creation of art.
Going along with the popular adage, "I could paint that", this
documentary film explores the popularity of 4 year old child artist
Marla Olmstead whose abstract paintings are touted as the work of a
child prodigy.
Marla Olmstead, from Binghamton, New York, became the sensation of
the art world for her abstract artwork, which have sold for thousands
of dollars per piece. The showing of her work started off as a lark,
but when the paintings sold without the buyers knowing who the artist
was, the media began to run with the story. Through it all, Marla's
parents, Mark Olmstead and Laura Olmstead, want to be grounded in what
is best for their daughter while exposing her to whatever positive may
come from the experience. But some negative and big name media also
surfaces, some questioning whether Marla is the real artist behind the
work, and some questioning exposing a four year old to such infamy.
Regardless, the fact of this art selling brings up the legitimacy of
abstract art being quantified as "quality", especially if a four year
old can produce it but can't express the emotions or rationale behind
its creation.
The saying, "I could paint that", is
commonly expressed amongst gallery and museum goers especially referring
to abstract expressionist art. This film explores whether it is indeed
possible to do exactly what an artist can. Can we do what Kendal Hanna
has done? Can we paint like him?
Director: Amir Bar-Lev / Country: USA & UK
Stars: Marla, Laura & Mark Olmstead
Language: English / Run time: 82 Minutes
Rated PG-13: For language
