Adam Cullen (1965–2012), painter, studied art in Sydney from 1986 to 1999, when he obtained his Master's degree in Fine Arts from the University of New South Wales. He held his first solo exhibition in 1993, and exhibited annually from then until his death. Commonly working in house paints, he specialised in visceral, brutally amusing depictions of bestial men and dismembered animals, his purportedly edgy, roguish lifestyle and the often dark or disturbing nature of his work making him something of a celebrity outside of art circles. Thirteen times an Archibald finalist between 1997 and 2012, he won the prize for his portrait of actor David Wenham, painted in 'three or four hours' in 2000.
Photographer George Fetting considers this work a collaboration between him and his subject. 'The concept was to photograph Adam through a sheet of glass as he worked his magic and I documented his progress through the lens,' Fetting says. 'It was an honour to spend some time with him before his very untimely and premature demise.'
Purchased with funds provided by Alan Dodge AM & Neil Archibald 2019
© George Fetting/Copyright Agency, 2023
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