Adam Cullen merges social satire with technicolour excess. An ‘enfant terrible’ of the art world, he launched onto the Australian art scene by chaining a pig’s head to his ankle for two weeks. This punk stunt was followed by a career spent painting tough, uncompromising and challenging subjects, captured with a pop art twist.

In his original etchings, Cullen further develops his satirical edge. These works can be raw and confronting, crossing themes including aggression, impotence, missing resolve and bad decisions. While they are extreme, they are also captivating. Cullen recalls visiting the Prado as a little boy and finding himself transfixed in front of Goya’s ‘Saturn Destroying his Son’ for over an hour. He felt “much emotion as a nine year old can endure… It’s incredible how uplifting and inspiring artworks can be, even if they’re repulsive, or demonic or black – they still inspire you.”

Exploring masculinity, crime and animalism, Cullen’s work is imbued with an unexpected vulnerability. In his lifetime, he was a winner and multi-time Archibald Prize finalist, honoured with a 2008 retrospective at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and an Art Hotel in Prahran, cementing him as one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists.

Hand-signed and framed this limited edition original etching will add an edge to collections of pop and contemporary art. It is represented in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia.

Adam CULLEN (1965 - 2012)
'Figure II' 2002
Coloured etching
Edition of 10
Image Size: 30 x 30 cm
Dimensions: 56 x 41 x 3 cm
Signed: Editioned, titled, signed and dated in bottom margin
Comes with Letter of Provenance
 
An impression of this work is represented at the National Gallery of Australia, accession Number: 2007.1549.60
 
Condition: Excellent
 
(c) Adam Cullen / Copyright Agency