Adam Cullen turns some of Australia’s most enduring cultural archetypes into images that are confronting, irreverent and impossible to ignore. A self-described enfant terrible, Cullen exploded onto the Australian art scene with the audacious punk gesture of chaining a pig’s head to his ankle for two weeks. The provocation was characteristic of an artist who spent his career interrogating masculinity, violence, crime and the darker impulses of Australian life.

Cullen’s ‘To An End’ depicts a head whizzing through time and space like a meteor hurtling towards earth. The forces of gravity have stretched the figure’s skin back to reveal the bone structure beneath, while beams of energy streak behind him. Rare, original and distinctly Cullen, this work’s title and subject are enigmatic – to what end? What lies at the bottom of this great fall? What forces can we endure?

A multi-time Archibald Prize finalist and winner, Cullen was the subject of a major retrospective at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in 2008. His work occupies an important place in the story of Australian contemporary art, distinguished by its punk sensibility, dark humour and fearless examination of Australian identity.

Editioned at just 10 impressions, ‘To An End’ is a museum-quality work with an impression held at the National Gallery of Australia. Hand-signed and exceptionally rare, this work may be diminutive in size but it promises impact, representing a sterling addition to collections of Australian contemporary art – particularly for collectors drawn to Cullen’s irrepressible energy.

Adam CULLEN (1965 - 2012)
'To An End ' 2001
Etching on paper
Edition of 10
Image Size: 13 x 12 cm
Dimensions: 31 x 23 cm
Signed: Editioned, titled, signed and dated in bottom margin.
 
Comes with Letter of Provenance
 
Another impression of this work is represented at the National Gallery of Australia, accession number:2007.1549.90
 
Condition: Excellent
 
(c) Adam Cullen / Copyright Agency