Maggie's artist Bio.
Maggie Cullen
Maggie studied at Exeter College of Art, BA & Fellowship 1972
MA Royal College of Art. (1975 Sculpture School as Maggie Barnard)
After leaving the RCA Maggie lived in an Acme house in Bow, London. In the 1980s she moved to live near Wirksworth in Derbyshire with her partner Tim Dowdell and son, Dan.
In London Maggie worked at Berkshire College of Art and Design in Maidenhead, Lavender Hill Arts Centre in Battersea, Stepney Green Amenity Arts Centre for children and for London Bgh of Tower Hamlets in Mile End.
In Derbyshire Maggie has worked as Curator and Exhibitions Organizer for: Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, Museum of Childhood, Sudbury Hall and Derby Museum and Art Gallery.
Tim's web
Acme web
My early figures formed the key element of these large structures incorporating labyrinths, mazes or the recurrent theme of The Tower of Babel. The idea of getting lost physically or in my head in an abstracted world, fascinated and intrigued. Then, as now, I see working with the figure as a means of interpreting a world within. The scale of my figures for me is a key part of this.
I grew up at the back of my mother's tiny Barber's shop in the industrial heartlands of the Black Country. What I witnessed then were beaten, hollow remains of the people around me, many of them completely spent by the heavy foundry work and a filthy coal industry that dominated life around us.
By complete contrast l saw the same large, scary looking men, slump into the comfort of Mum's noisy little shop and sparkle, letting go of any guard against their harsh environment outside. I think this is where the obsession with small, strong, dignified, mainly male, seemingly insignificant figures first entered my psyche
My early figures appeared extremely delicate they were produced as part of larger structures, intended to give only a gentle indication of the presence of human forms. Grouped into transparent boxes, these small figures were incorporated into large structures standing around human height, 175cm or so.
Working part time from 2001, I was able to pick up on my work again, since then I have used a variety of materials to produce my figurative work, including resin, wax, porcelain, paper clay and bronze. I am now working with paper and other natural materials.
I am presently working on a series based on the theme of Morris Men which for me ties in
with the theme of myth and legend. I find it intriguing that we search for spiritual meaning to our lives and how we need to collectively celebrate with religion, a festival or custom. I am exploring figures such as 'John Barleycorn,' 'Jack in the Green', Mummers Play characters, 'The Man in the Oak', many of which are based upon the ancient legends and stories around 'The Green Man'.
I am intrigued by the idea of small community traditions modified by each generation over time and across cultures. These ideas can encompass numerous guises......... all a bit literal, great fun to produce, so who cares.
One of these for example is called 'The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance', a small box framed work based upon an annual village event which can be traced back to the 12thcentury. Although nothing much now remains about its origins or meaning the tradition has been handed down the generations of families in the village. The antlers worn by the dancers which hang for the rest of the year in the local church are many hundreds of years old. My piece is a little tribute to the people who keep their village tradition alive.
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Bookworks
I find my books on the last leg of their journey.
A book or book title will take my attention,discarded prayer books are of particular interest, they probably resonate with my upbringing within an Irish catholic community. Their abandonment seems especially poignant when thinking of the significance the book may have had in the past owner's life.
Inspired by the title and content or even the dedication on the fly leaf, I set out to create a piece specific to that book, contributing I hope to its continued life.
Delicate paper figures become part of the book, as a unique piece of work. The figures are paper thin, extremely light and very delicate to handle. As such they are closely linked to the transitory nature of ideas embodied in the work. I use paper from the book and other ephemeral materials as part of the process. Together I hope they amplify the sense of fagility and vulnerability within each work.
Exhibtions
2000,1 Leicester City Gallery Open (Awards)
2001,2 Derbyshire Open
2001 Patching Gallery, Nottinghamshire (award)
2001 Manchester Academy Open, (Michael Gourley Award)
2002 Solo show, Patching Gallery Nottinghamshire
2002 Stockport Art Gallery Open
2002 Leicester City Gallery Open, (Habitat Award)
2003,4 Stoke on Trent Museum &Art Gallery Open
2003 Nottingham Castle 'City' Open
2003,4 Leicester City Gallery Open
2005 Nottingham Castle 'City' Open
2000,1,2,4,5,6,7 Wirksworth Festival Art & Architecture
2008 Derby, Bank's Mill, 'One Step Beyond'
2008 Beetroot Gallery, 'Monochrome'
2008 Parish Rooms exhibition Wirksworth Festival
2008/9 Repton Gallery
2009 Tregoning Gallery, Derby
2009 Yorkshire Sculpture Park Visitor Centre
2010 'Out of the Woods' Harding House Gallery
2010 'Bookworks' Harding House Gallery, Lincoln (ongoing)
2011 Pakistan Floods Appeal Art Auction, Derby
2011 'Bookvandal' Scarthin Books
2011 'Head & Whole' Abbey Walk Gallery
2011 'Flash Trash' Harding House Gallery