The Friends are pleased to offer members the opportunity to hear artist and sculptor Paul Cullen give an illustrated talk about his career and the development of his work. Paul is at Te Papa completing the installation of his new work A Garden which opens to the public on Saturday 28 November on the Sculpture Terrace, Level 6. Following the talk you will also enjoy a preview of the exhibition.
More information about this exhibition
Cullen’s project takes the concept of the borrowed view, a key idea in garden history where surrounding landscape is incorporated into the garden design, enhancing the vista from the garden and giving a sense that the garden is larger than it is.
The borrowed view has its origins in traditional Oriental gardens and architecture and has also become a technique applied to modern urban architecture and the cityscape.
As an inner city space that operates as a viewing deck over the harbour the Outer Terrace is very much a part of this tradition. Spaces such as this are often developed as outdoor areas for recreation and pleasure and this site is no exception. Cullen’s project responds to the possibilities and meanings of this site within the architecture and ideology of the Museum and its location overlooking the busy harbour.
Cullen’s installation will feature a series of familiar objects – a concrete wall, a street light, rocks, steel trestle, hoses and tables. While the objects have an appearance of purposeful intent or usefulness, their function is unclear. Cullen deliberately suggests a rational purpose for the objects, yet he conflates it with their existence as simple forms creating a shift between the recognisable use or origin of the individual elements and the sculptural possibilities that arise from their relationship to each other and the space.
Paul Cullen
Paul Cullen is a senior lecturer at AUT University Auckland. He graduated with the BSc from the University of Auckland in 1971, before going on to study at the Ilam School of Fine Arts, Canterbury University, Christchurch and completing a Diploma of Fine Arts with Honours in Sculpture. He completed an MFA (1st Class Hons) at the University of Auckland in 2000 and a Doctorate of Fine Arts in 2007.
Since holding his first solo exhibition in 1975 at the Centre Gallery, Christchurch, Paul Cullen has exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally and a finalist in many major national art awards.
Registration
This is a Friends of Te Papa event and registration is essential. To register
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- Join now using the online membership form
- Phone the office +64 (0)4 381 7051
- Email us at friends@tepapa.govt.nz with your name and address and we will send you an application form
- Join in person at the Information Desk, Level 2 in Te Papa.