This past Sunday Archibald and Moran winner and many time finalists in those competitions Adam Cullen, died.
I had the opportunity of working with Adam on three different occasions. Adam very generously donated examples of his work towards an art auction to raise money for emergency water bores in March 2007 and then for two auctions which raised funds for the Crookwell Community Trust “40 of The Best” auctions in September 2008 and April 2010.
Adam’s works helped raise over ten thousand dollars for this community. When I first made contact with Adam, through his cousin Max Cullen, I was impressed by Adam’s willingness to help. The man was keen to lend a hand for no other reason than that he knew there was a community that was in distress and that his work might help make a difference.
Though I can easily understand why the local community might not warm to Adam’s art I for one will have a quiet thought for a man who battled hard with his own demons but also had a heart big enough to think of others.
Adam’s work has been exhibited in many galleries around Australia including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. In 1998 he was declared one of Australia’s most collectable artists. Sincerely
Hank Spirek
