# Adam Cullen > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Adam_Cullen > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Adam_Cullen.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Cullen > Source revision: 1337760626 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Australian artist (1965–2012)}} {{use Australian English|date=April 2020}} {{use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox artist | name = Adam Cullen | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Adam Frederick Cullen | birth_date = {{Birth date|1965|10|9|df=y}} | birth_place = [Sydney](/source/Sydney), [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales), Australia | death_date = {{Death date and age|2012|7|28|1965|10|9|df=y}} | death_place = [Wentworth Falls, New South Wales](/source/Wentworth_Falls%2C_New_South_Wales), Australia | spouse = | field = | training = | movement = | works = | patrons = [Edmund Capon](/source/Edmund_Capon) | influenced by = | influenced = | awards = {{awd|[Archibald Prize](/source/Archibald_Prize)|2000|Portrait of David Wenham}} | elected = | website = | alma_mater = {{unbulleted list|City Art Institute|[University of New South Wales](/source/University_of_New_South_Wales)}} }} '''Adam Frederick Cullen''' (9 October 1965 – 28 July 2012) was an Australian artist, most known for winning the [Archibald Prize](/source/Archibald_Prize) in 2000 with a portrait of actor [David Wenham](/source/David_Wenham). He was also known for his controversial subjects and his distinctive style, sometimes referred to as "grunge". He is the subject of the feature film ''[Acute Misfortune](/source/Acute_Misfortune)'' (2019), co-written, directed and produced by [Thomas M. Wright](/source/Thomas_M._Wright), based on journalist [Erik Jensen](/source/Erik_Jensen_(writer))'s 2015 biography of the artist, ''Acute Misfortune: The Life and Death of Adam Cullen''. == Early life == Cullen was born in [Sydney](/source/Sydney) on 9 October 1965. He graduated from the City Art Institute (now [UNSW Art & Design](/source/UNSW_Art_%26_Design)) with a Diploma of Professional Art in 1987 and received a Master of Fine Arts from the [University of New South Wales](/source/University_of_New_South_Wales) in 1999.{{cite news|last=Frew|first=Wendy|title=Archibald winner Adam Cullen dies aged 47|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/archibald-winner-adam-cullen-dies-aged-47-20120729-2365g.html|access-date=29 July 2012|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=29 July 2012}} He was a cousin of the actor and artist [Max Cullen](/source/Max_Cullen).{{cite news |title=Tributes flow for Archibald winner Adam Cullen who has died at age 47 |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/archibald-winner-adam-cullen-dies-aged-47/news-story/8ec4e5e40114039a29541549c04c6953 |access-date=13 June 2024 |work=news.com.au |publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd |date=30 July 2012}} ==Career== Cullen's home and studio was located at [Wentworth Falls](/source/Wentworth_Falls%2C_New_South_Wales), in the [Blue Mountains](/source/Blue_Mountains_(Australia)) of [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales). Cullen's work was exhibited in solo and group exhibitions both in Australia and internationally. Cullen was well-established as a Sydney "grunge" painter when he won the prestigious Archibald Prize for his portrait of actor [David Wenham](/source/David_Wenham) in 2000. In 2002 he represented Australia at the 25th [São Paulo Art Biennial](/source/S%C3%A3o_Paulo_Art_Biennial). ==Style and themes== Cullen often employed the image of infamous and iconic Australian bushranger [Ned Kelly](/source/Ned_Kelly) in his artwork. He also portrayed the killers of 1986 murder victim [Anita Cobby](/source/Anita_Cobby_murder), and illustrated the underworld figure and convicted criminal [Mark 'Chopper' Read's](/source/Chopper_Read) fairy tale book called ''[Hooky the Cripple](/source/Hooky_the_Cripple)''.{{cn|date=April 2020}} ==Reception== He has been described as one of Australia's most collectible contemporary artists. ==Prizes== === Archibald Prize === He entered the [Archibald Prize](/source/Archibald_Prize) at least nine times, was hung at least eight times, and won once, in 2000. He was a finalist in 1997, 1999, 2001-2004, [2006](/source/List_of_Archibald_Prize_2006_finalists) (with his painting ''Edmund'', depicting gallery director and art historian [Edmund Capon](/source/Edmund_Capon)), in [2011](/source/List_of_Archibald_Prize_2011_finalists) and [2012](/source/List_of_Archibald_Prize_2012_finalists).{{cn|date=April 2020}} === Other prizes and honours === Cullen was exhibited in the [Doug Moran National Portrait Prize](/source/Doug_Moran_National_Portrait_Prize) show of 2000-2001 with a portrait of comedian [Mikey Robins](/source/Mikey_Robins). He was the winner of the [Mosman Art Prize](/source/Mosman_Art_Prize) in 2005.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} ==Later life and legacy== In 2011 he was given a suspended jail sentence for drunk-driving and weapons offences. A [psychiatric](/source/psychiatric) report recommended treatment for [bipolar disorder](/source/bipolar_disorder) as well as a long-term alcohol rehabilitation program. He died on 28 July 2012, after having been seriously ill for some time. [Erik Jensen](/source/Erik_Jensen_(writer))'s 2015 biography of Cullen, ''Acute Misfortune: The Life and Death of Adam Cullen'', won the 2015 [Nib Literary Award](/source/Nib_Literary_Award) as well as being shortlisted for the [Walkley Book Award](/source/Walkley_Awards) and the [Victorian Premier's Prize for Nonfiction](/source/Victorian_Premier's_Prize_for_Nonfiction).{{cite web | title=Erik Jensen: Bringing writing back to journalism | website=The Garret | date=14 February 2018 | url=https://thegarretpodcast.com/erik-jensen/ | access-date=21 April 2020}}{{cite web | last=Morris | first=Linda | title=Erik Jensen's biography of flawed artist Adam Cullen wins Sydney literary award | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=25 November 2015 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/erik-jensens-biography-of-flawed-artist-adam-cullen-wins-sydney-literary-award-20151124-gl66v0.html | access-date=21 April 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyreviewofbooks.com/acute-misfortune-adam-cullen-erik-jensen/|title=Declivities and eminences|author=Edmond, Martin|work=[Sydney Review of Books](/source/Sydney_Review_of_Books)|publisher=Writing and Society Research Centre at the [University of Western Sydney](/source/University_of_Western_Sydney)|date=30 September 2014|access-date=10 March 2015}} ''[Acute Misfortune](/source/Acute_Misfortune)'', directed by [Thomas M. Wright](/source/Thomas_M._Wright), based on Jensen's book, with the screenplay co-written by Wright and Jensen and focussing on Cullen's volatile relationship with his biographer, was released in 2018.{{Cite web|url=http://adelaidefilmfestival.org/titles/106347/acute-misfortune|title=Acute Misfortune - Adelaide Film Festival|website=adelaidefilmfestival.org|access-date=2018-10-18}}{{cite web | title=Home | website=Acute Misfortune | url=https://www.acutemisfortune.com/ | access-date=20 April 2020}}{{cite web|website=The Monthly|url=https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2018/october/1538316000/monthly-awards-2018/2018|title=The Monthly Awards 2018: Film: 'Terror Nullius' by Soda–Jerk |first=Alexie |last=Glass-Kantor|date=October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413124802/https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2018/october/1538316000/monthly-awards-2018/2018#8|archive-date=13 April 2019}} ==References== {{Reflist}} == External links == *[http://www.thecullen.com.au The Cullen Hotel] *[http://www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/sunmorn/stories/s1316228.htm The Maker: Adam Cullen] {{s-start}} {{s-ach|aw}} {{s-bef|before=[Euan MacLeod](/source/Euan_MacLeod)}} {{s-ttl|title=[Archibald Prize](/source/Archibald_Prize)|years=2000
for ''Portrait of David Wenham''}} {{s-aft|after=[Nicholas Harding](/source/Nicholas_Harding)}} {{s-end}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Cullen, Adam}} Category:1965 births Category:2012 deaths Category:Archibald Prize winners Category:University of New South Wales alumni Category:Archibald Prize finalists Category:Australian portrait painters Category:Australian contemporary artists Category:20th-century Australian artists Category:People with bipolar disorder --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Adam Cullen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Cullen) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Cullen?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.