Adam Cullen’s ‘Dick’ fascinates from two perspectives. From one, it roars of what made the artist great. Stripping, twisting, subverting and rebuilding the portrait genre, Cullen transforms one of the oldest artistic traditions into something fresh, bold and delightfully devil-may-care. That he won the 2000 Archibald Prize is no surprise.

From another perspective, ‘Dick’ synthesises a crossroads in Australian art. In it, Cullen celebrates Dick Watkins - a revered Sydney-based painter. Passing from one generation to the next, he pays tribute to a mentor while totally renovating the portrait genre. This camaraderie was vital to Sydney’s art scene at the turn of the century.

In 2001, another of Cullens portraits of Watkins was a finalist in the Archibald Prize. Sometimes controversial yet always raucously clever, his work is represented in many state collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria and continues to be avidly collected.

Adam CULLEN (1965 - 2012)
'Dick (Dick Watkins)' 2001
acrylic on board
Image Size: 42 x 59 cm
Signed: Signed with initials and dated on verso: 'AC' / 2011
Comes with Letter of Provenance
EXHIBITIONSArt is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum: 13 October - 10 December, 2023LITERATURE/PRESSArt is Pain Relief, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, catalogue (hard back publication) p.46
Condition:Very Good: Describes a work of art's image as Excellent, but may show some small signs of surrounding wear to paper or frame. There are no tears to paper margin or disruption to the paint surface.
(c) Adam Cullen / Copyright Agency