WHYTE'S IRISH ART 28 MAY 2018

203 Michael Cullen RHA (b.1946) STUDY: THE ANATOMY OF DR. NICOLAES TULP AFTER REMBRANDT, 1998 watercolour signed lower right; signed, titled and dated on reverse 27.50 by 41in. (69.9 by 104.1cm) Michael Cullen was born in Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow and studied art at the Central School of Art and Design, London in 1969 and NCAD from 1970 to 1973 before moving abroad for several years. Cullen’s work has an underlying autobiographical aspect that sees him referring both himself and his work to such masters as Velásquez and Picasso. With his multicoloured carnival palette, Cullen’s paintings and prints reveal the influence of time spent in Mexico, Spain and Morocco that adds a festive air to proceedings. The profu- sion of bright, clean colour is emphasised by accents of brilliant white, and Cullen’s work often includes imagery of cowboys, still lives, bullfighters and infantas. Michael Cullen was awarded the Independent Artists’Major Painting Award in 1984 and the National Portrait Award in 1989. He has been the recipient of several Arts Council bursaries is also an elected member of Aosdána. Cullen has shown his work extensively throughout Ireland, with solo exhibitions at the Fenderesky Gallery, Belfast; Cavanacor Gallery, Donegal; Vangard Gallery, Cork; and Triskel Arts Cen- tre, Cork; as well as Temple Bar Gallery, the Graphic Gallery and Project Arts Centre, Dublin. Cullen’s work is included in private collections throughout the country and is also represented in the public collections of the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Dundee Contemporary Arts Society, Scotland, amongst others. (from www.taylorgalleries.com) Cullen’s most recent solo exhibition with the Taylor Galleries, Dublin - Tír na nÓg - took place from 13 April to 5 May 2018. €1,500-€2,000 (£1,320-£1,750 approx.) Click Here for Large Images & To Bid Lot 203