Born in Sydney in 1965, Adam Cullen's artistic journey began with a passion for drawing, which he cultivated from a young age, contributing cartoons to a local newspaper as a teenager.
Known for his provocative approach, Cullen gained early recognition in the art world by chaining a decomposing pig's head to his ankle for two weeks, marking his association with the Grunge art movement of the early nineties.
Despite initial surprise from his peers, Cullen boldly entered the prestigious Archibald Prize in 1997, ultimately winning in 2000 with his portrait of actor David Wenham.
The artist used a highly personal visual language to address a broad range of topics including crime, masculinity 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 was created post-2000 and consists 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.
The Cullen, a tribute to his legacy, opened in Melbourne in November 2009. Cullen's diverse body of work has been exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally since the 1990s, showcasing his unique blend of irreverent humour and astute societal commentary.