Adam Cullen, Missing Kelly Skull, 2011, acrylic on canvas.
Over a decade since Adam Cullen’s death, the artist’s rarely seen, unique works will be displayed at Manly Art Gallery & Museum from 13 October to 3 December.
In this retrospective exhibition, over 70 paintings, works on paper, bronzes, ceramics, film footage, and artist books were primarily drawn from private collections.
The artist behind this colourful and complex collection grew up in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. He achieved fame by winning the prestigious Archibald Prize in 2000 for his portrait of actor David Wenham, which will be showcased at the event. Furthermore, in 2002, he represented Australia at the 25th Biennale de São Paulo.
He was passionate about drawing from a very young age, and as a teenager, he saw himself drawing cartoons for a local newspaper. Adam was known for his highly personal visual language, addressing a broad range of topics involving crime, masculinity and the relationship between animal and human behaviours.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said the exhibition is an opportunity to reflect on the artist’s extraordinary body of work, his influence and legacy.
“As a child, Adam Cullen showed artistic talent and even drew cartoons for the local Collaroy Plateau newspaper,” Mayor Heins said.
“After art school, he emerged from Sydney’s grunge art scene in the 1990s to become one of the most influential artists of his generation.
“His bold and challenging paintings are insightful and often confronting, reflecting contemporary societal issues.
“It is a real privilege and honour to display these rarely seen works here on the Northern Beaches, where the late artist spent his formative years.”
Adam Cullen’s works revolve around national and gendered identity issues, addressing racial intolerance, bigotry, sexism, and political and social hypocrisies. The artist passed away at his home in Wentworth Falls in July 2012.
More than ten years later, Max Germanos of 3:33 Art Projects developed this retrospective exhibition with the support of the Adam Cullen Estate and Manly Art Gallery & Museum.
