Lennox St. Gallery is pleased to present How Things Work, an exhibition by Adam Cullen. The exhibition comprises 28 paintings, 5 sculptures, 42 works on paper, and 25 etchings; and there is a further online component of 32 limited editions - https://www.lennoxst.gallery/exhibitions/limited-editions - making this the largest exhibition of Adam Cullen’s works in a private gallery.
Adam Cullen began garnering positive reviews and collectors’ following early in his career, when he was completing his studies at the University of NSW and exhibiting at the prestigious Yuill / Crowley galleries in Sydney, being acknowledged as one of the most important exponents of the Grunge movement in Australian visual arts. Like many artists, he began entering art prizes. On his fourth attempt in 2000, he was not only selected as a finalist but was also awarded the Archibald Prize for his portrait of David Wenham.
The award had a flow-on effect on his career and shone a spotlight on the artist. A child of white middle-class Northern suburbs, his paintings expose the darkness behind the picket fences, manicured lawns, and lace curtains. A fifth-generation Australian with strong roots in the rural New South Wales, as well as boasting Irish Catholic heritage on his mother’s side, his paintings draw upon subjects from Colonial History, including the many images of Ned Kelly, who was the subject of Cullen’s master thesis, and with whom the artist came to identify. The world of advertising and commercial television was another important source of inspiration for the artist’s works.
It is indeed the latter—advertising and commercial television—that accounts for the lurid colour schemes within his works. The blank canvas was his greatest nemesis and the source of his numerous anxieties. He painted at night when he knew he would not be disturbed. Every painting was presaged but numerous stream-of-consciousness drawings. He laid the foundation with bright colours and expressive, gestural brushstrokes. Black outlines and slogans were applied later, demonstrating his background as a cartoonist. The black contains the myriad of colours; it animates and imparts menacing undertones to his protagonists; and, like the lead of stained-glass windows, accentuates the brilliancy and saturation of surrounding pigments.
Adam Cullen’s legacy includes an important body of paintings, sculpture, works on paper, and graphics, which, during his lifetime, were exhibited regularly in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. His works were included in important curated exhibitions at the AGNSW (most notably the 1993 Perspecta), MCA, AGSA, and the University of Western Australia; and in 2002 he was chosen to represent Australia in the prestigious Sao Paulo Biennale in Brazil. In 2008, he was given an important survey exhibition, Let’s Get Lost, at the AGNSW, which was accompanied by the publication of a major monograph on the artist’s work.
Apartfrom the celebrated win of the Archibald Prize in 2000, the artist was an eight-time finalist in the Archibald Prize, two-time finalist in the MoranPrize, the winner of the 2005 Mosman Art Prize and the 2008 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize. He was honoured by the inauguration of the Cullen Hotel, apart of the Art Series Hotel Group, in Melbourne, in 2009, joining such artists as John Olsen, Charles Blackman, Michael Johnson and others to be distinguished in this particular way.
His works have been acquired by the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria; state collections of New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia; regional collection of Kedumba, Gold Coast, and Geelong; the tertiary collections of Monash and Griffiths universities, as well as notable corporate and private collections in Australia and abroad.
Adam Cullen was born in Sydney in 1965. The artist was passionate about drawing from a very young age, and as a teenager drew cartoons for a local newspaper. He first gained recognition in the art world when he chained a decomposing pig's head to his ankle for two weeks. Cullen was associated with the Grunge art movement in the early 1990’s.
In 1997, much to the surprise of his contemporaries, he entered the Archibald prize. He was hung as a finalist in 1998 and went on to win the prize in 2000 with a portrait of actor David Wenham. He continued to enter the Archibald Prize regularly after winning and was subsequently hung as a finalist nine times.He was also instrumental in changing perceptions about the conservative nature of the Archibald Prize.
The artist used a highly personal visual language to address a broad range of topics including masculinity, crime, and the relationship between animal and human behaviours. Cullen had a democratic approach to art and would happily merge references to high and low cultural influences in his works. Much of the work made post 2000 consisting of paintings executed in a bold pop style with defining features of drip marks, iridescent colours and black outlines. His works skilfully combine irreverent humour with an astute sensitivity to society.
Cullen graduated from the City Art Institute with a Diploma of Professional Art in 1987 and received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of New South Wales in 1999.
Cullen was a finalist many times over in the Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of New South Wales, in 2000 he won the Archibald with his composition Portrait of David Wenham 2000. This success was followed by winning the Mosman Art Prize in 2005 and the 2008 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize with Pegasus Flying over Sydney 2008.
In mid 2008 Cullen's work was the subject of a major survey exhibition, ADAM CULLEN. LET'S GET LOST, curated by the Art Gallery of New South Wales and was accompanied by a major catalogue published by the gallery.
The Cullen (Hotel) in Prahran, opened in Melbourne November 2009 and remains an ongoing tribute to the artist's work with paintings and archival pigment prints of works from his many exhibitions adorn the guest rooms and foyers.
Sadly the artist died at home in the Blue Mountains on 28 July 2012.
Signature: Signed on verso with initials: 'A C'
Provenance: Tolarno Galleries, Melbourne, Purchased by the Curator of the Art Series Hotels, for the The Cullen Hotel, Melbourne, where it hung in the lift lobby from its' opening in 2010 until 2017, when The Art Series Hotels were sold to the Mantra Group. Private Collection, Melbourne
Signature: Titled, signed and dated verso: God Improves as we Mature, Adam Cullen, 2000.
Provenance: Acquired from the artist; Private Collection, Melbourne.
Literature: McGregor, Hawley, Zimmer: Macmillan, Mini Art Series, no. 7- Adam Cullen p,31 (illustrated), Macmillan Art Publishing, 2009.
Signature: Signed and dated on verso: ‘’ WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED SCIENCE?,” Adam Cullen, 02
Provenance: Kaliman Gallery, Gallery label fixed on verso, The Cullen Estate, Estate of Adam Cullen Stamp (verso)
Exhibitions: Kaliman Gallery, Sydney
Signature: Signed with initials lower left: Ac, dated lower centre: 07. Signed, dated and inscribed with title verso: 'Mongolian Fighting Stallions' Adam Cullen 07,
Provenance: Kaliman Gallery, Sydney (label attached verso). Private Collection, Victoria.
Exhibitions: I Am The Cheese, Kaliman Gallery, Sydney, 30 November - 22 December, 2007
Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum: 3 October - 10 December, 2023
Literature: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, catalogue (hard back publication) (illustrated p.22)
Signature: Signed and dated on verso: 'Adam Cullen'
Provenance: The Artist's Studio, Five Fifty Art, Private Collection, Melbourne
Exhibitions: Exotic Miasma: The Art of Adam Cullen, Five Fifty Art, 10 February - 10 March, 2021
Signature: Titled, signed and dated verso: 'How Things Work, Adam Cullen, 2008'
Provenance: The Artist’s Studio, Private Collection, Melbourne
Literature: McGregor, Hawley, Zimmer: Macmillan, Mini Art Series, no. 7- Adam Cullen p.130-131 (illustrated), Macmillan Art Publishing, 2009
Signature: Signed, dated and titled verso: 'Adam Cullen, 2000 / Bed Time TV'
Provenance: Yuill Crowley Gallery, Sydney. The Austcorp Group Limited Art Collection. Sotheby's, Melbourne, 24 August, 2009, lot 221. Cooks Hill Galleries, Newcastle. Private Collection, Sydney
Exhibitions: Adam Cullen: Let's Get Lost, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 15 May - 27 July, 2008
Literature: Wayne Tunnicliffe, Adam Cullen: Let's Get Lost, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 2008, p. 16, pp. 58-59 (illustrated), p. 103. Ingrid Periz, Adam Cullen - Scars Last Longer, Craftsman House, Melbourne, 2004, p. 82 (illustrated)
Signature: Signed with initials lower left: 'AC,' dated lower centre: 07
Provenance: Black Rat Projects, London. Private collection, Melbourne
Exhibitions: Iron Mask, Black Rat Projects, London, 2010
Literature: McGreggor, Hawley, Zimmer: McMillion, Mini Art Series, no. 7- Adam Cullen (illustrated)
Signature: Titled, signed and dated on verso: Kelly in Drag, 'Adam Cullen,' 10
Provenance: Black Rat Projects, London. Private Collection, Melbourne
Exhibitions: Iron Mask, Black Rat Projects, London, 2010
Literature: McGreggor, Hawley, Zimmer: McMillion, Mini Art Series, no. 7- Adam Cullen p.138 (illustrated)
Signature: Signed, titled and dated on verso: 'Town and Country, Adam Cullen, 1999'
Literature: Ingrid Periz, Adam Cullen - Scars Last Longer, Craftsman House, Melbourne, 2004, p. 26-27 (illustrated), McGregor, Hawley, Zimmer: Macmillan, Mini Art Series, no. 7- Adam Cullen (illustrated), Macmillan Art Publishing, 2009
Signature: Signed and dated on verso: 'Adam Cullen, 2000,' Stamped The Estate of Adam Cullen: Number 518
Provenance: The Estate of Adam Cullen, Private Collection, Sydney
Exhibitions: Kaliman Gallery Sydney (Gallery label verso), Exotic Miasma: The Art of Adam Cullen, Five Fifty Art, 10 February - 10 March, 2021, Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, 13 October - 10 December, 2023
Literature: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, catalogue (hard back publication) p. 9 (illustrated)
Provenance: Cooks Hill Galleries, Newcastle. Private Collection, Sydney
Exhibitions: Bitter Sweet, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 20 April - 10 June, 2002
Literature: Wayne Tunnicliffe, Bitter Sweet, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 2002, p. 29 (illustrated), Ingrid Periz, Adam Cullen - Scars Last Longer, Craftsman House, Melbourne, 2004, p. 91 (illustrated)
Signature: Signed, titled and dated on verso: 'Adam Cullen, Diva Satanica'
Provenance: Artist's Studio, Private Collection, Sydney
Signature: Titled, signed and dated on verso: 'Why We Live in Groups, Adam Cullen, 2004'
Provenance: Artist's Studio, Private Collection, Sydney
Exhibitions: Adam Cullen: Let's Get Lost, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 15 May - 27 July, 2008
Literature: Adam Cullen: Let's Get Lost, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 15 May - 27 July 2008. p. 87 (Illustrated), McGregor, Hawley, Zimmer: Macmillan, Mini Art Series, no. 7- Adam Cullen p. 76-77 (illustrated), Macmillan Art Publishing, 2009
Signature: Initialled lower left and lower right: 'AC,' signed and dated on verso, 'Adam Cullen, IRA, 2008'
Provenance: Smith & Hall, Sydney, 2009, Private Collection, Melbourne
Signature: Signed and dated on verso: 'Adam Cullen, 03'
Provenance: Artists Studio, Private Collection, Sydney
Literature: McGreggor, Hawley, Zimmer: McMillion, Mini Art Series, no. 7- Adam Cullen p.50-51 (illustrated) .Macmillan Art Publishing, 2009
Signature: Signed and dated on verso: 'Cullen, '05'
Provenance: Kaliman Gallery, Sydney, Gallery Label attached on verso, Private Collection, Melbourne
Signature: Signed, dated and titled on verso: 'Adam Cullen, Get Yourself a White Man, 2001'
Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney
Signature: Signed with initials lower left: 'AC,' inscribed upper centre: Rodeo Hip Sport Rodeo Clown, signed and dated on verso: 'Cullen,' 07
Provenance: Private collection, Sydney, Joel Fine Art, Melbourne, 21 April 2008, lot 70. Private collection, Melbourne, Menzies, Sydney, 6 December, 2012, lot 13. Private Collection, Adelaide
Exhibitions: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum: 3 October - 10 December, 2023
Literature: McGreggor, Hawley, Zimmer: McMillion, Mini Art Series, no. 7- Adam Cullen. p.59 (partially illustrated: in-situ studio photo). Macmillan Art Publishing, 2009
Signature: Signed and inscribed on verso: 'Adam Cullen, 07, Wild', initialled on verso: AC08, inscribed upper left: WILD / ISAIAH / WRIGHT ANS CENTRE RIGHT: 1876
Provenance: Art Equity, Sydney 2013. Private Collection, South Australia
Exhibitions: Iron Mask, Black Rat Projects, London, 2010
Literature: McGreggor, Hawley, Zimmer: McMillion, Mini Art Series, no. 7 - Adam Cullen. p. 141 (illustrated), Macmillan Art Publishing, 2009
Signature: Signed and inscribed on verso: 'Adam Cullen'
Provenance: Gallery Ecosse, Exeter, NSW, Private Collection, Sydney
Exhibitions: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum: 3 October - 10 December, 2023
Literature: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, catalogue (hard back publication) p,39
Signature: Signed upper right verso: 'Adam Cullen, 10, MARY McCILLAP' (sic) and signed lower verso (on bottom stretcher bar): 'Adam Cullen'
Provenance: The Cullen Estate, Estate of Adam Cullen Stamp (bottom verso)
Signature: Signed and inscribed on verso: 'Adam Cullen, Brown Man, 2003'
Provenance: Gallery Ecosse, Exeter, NSW, Private Collection, Sydney
Exhibitions: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum: 13 October - 10 December, 2023
Literature: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Catalogue (hard back publication), p. 51
Signature: Titled, signed and dated on verso: 'Margaret Throsby, Adam Cullen, 2005'
Provenance: The Artist, The Collection of Margaret Throsby, Sydney
Signature: Signed with initials and dated on verso: 'AC' / 2011
Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney
Exhibitions: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum: 13 October - 10 December, 2023
Literature: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, catalogue (hard back publication) p.46
Signature: Signed and dated on verso: GAI WATER / HOUSE + JOCKEY, 'Adam Cullen,' 1998
Provenance: The artist, Estate of Adam Cullen Stamp (verso), Private Collection, Sydney
Exhibitions: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum: 13 October - 10 December, 2023
Literature: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, catalogue (hard back publication) p.50
Signature: Signed with initials and dated on verso: 'AC / 2011'
Provenance: The Artist, Private Collection, Sydney
Signature: Artist’s name and edition incised on verso: 'A CULLEN 1/3'
Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney
Exhibitions: Exotic Miasma: The Art of Adam Cullen, Five Fifty Art 10 February - 10 March, 2021, Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum: 3 October - 10 December, 2023
Literature: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, catalogue (hard back publication) p. 62
Signature: Signed and dated lower right: 'AC, 10'
Provenance: Art Equity, Sydney 2015. Private Collection, South Australia
Signature: Signed, dated and titled lower left: AC ’12 ‘WINO'
Provenance: Gift from the artist, Private Collection, Sydney
Exhibitions: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum: 13 October - 10 December, 2023
Literature: Art is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, catalogue (hard back publication) p.55
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