Emmett Culligan is a sculptor whose work spans a broad spectrum, from monumental public art installations to intimately scaled wall-mounted pieces. A graduate of the University of Colorado at Denver, where he earned his BFA in Sculpture, Culligan’s creations are housed in numerous public and private collections worldwide, reflecting his enduring influence in the field of contemporary art.
Culligan’s work draws on the formal influences of Cubism and Deconstructivism, balancing geometric cohesion with dynamic disruption. His sculptures embody a unique interplay of symmetry and chaos, with forms that seem to sometimes compete for space and other times coalesce into harmonious compositions. Transforming industrial steel into organic shapes, Culligan challenges perceptions of materiality and permanence.
His forms often reference archetypal relationships, such as parent and child or familial bonds, capturing the tension and cooperation inherent in human connection. This thematic focus is evident in works like Rubric #8B and Rubric #16, where relational dynamics are expressed through the juxtaposition of separate yet interdependent elements. At the same time, Culligan’s practice is rooted in material exploration, emphasizing the act of making as central to his creative process. He describes this as "intentional transference," a means of imbuing material manipulation with emotional and spiritual intent.
Based in a homestead ranch in the foothills of Colorado, Emmett Culligan continues to evolve his practice, creating works that invite viewers into a dialogue about space, energy, and the fundamental human endeavor of creation.
education
1996 University of Colorado BFA, Sculpture and Drawing Denver, Colorado
1992 Art Students League Studio Painting New York, New York
exhibitions
2022 Out Of Fire Nuart Gallery Santa Fe, New Mexico
2022 Winter Selections Nuart Gallery Santa Fe, New Mexico
2022 Art of the State Arvada, Colorado
2021 William Havu Gallery Denver, Colorado
2020 William Havu Gallery Denver, Colorado
2019 Colorado Abstract +10 A History & A Survey Denver, Colorado
2018 William Havu Gallery Denver, Colorado
2017 William Havu Gallery Denver, Colorado
2016 William Havu Gallery Denver, Colorado
2015 The Fair - Art Palm Springs Palm Springs, California
2014 Unbound: Sculpture In the Field, Arvada, Colorado
2014 William Havu Gallery Denver, Colorado
2013 Catalyst Colorado Sculpture Denver, Colorado
2011 William Havu Gallery Denver, Colorado
2010 David Floria Gallery Aspen, Colorado
2009 Sellars Project Space Santa Fe, New Mexico
2009 Center for Visual Arts Denver, Colorado
2008 Arvada Center Arvada, Colorado
2006 David Floria Gallery Aspen, Colorado
2005 City of Englewood, “Art in Transit” Englewood, Colorado
2005 David Floria Gallery Aspen, Colorado
2004 City of Colorado Springs “Art in the Streets” Colorado Springs, Colorado
2004 Millennium Bridge Denver, Colorado
2004 City of Englewood, “Art in Transit” Englewood, Colorado
2003 Millennium Bridge Denver, Colorado
2003 City of Colorado Springs “Art in the Streets” Colorado Springs, Colorado
2002 Linda Durham Gallery Contemporary Art Galisteo, New Mexico
2002 City of Vail, “Outdoor Sculpture Invitational.” Vail, Colorado
2001 Judish Fine Arts Denver, Colorado
2000 Judish Fine Arts Denver, Colorado
1999 Judish Fine Arts Denver, Colorado
1997 Edge Gallery Denver, Colorado
selected public commissions
2016Cherry Hills Village Public Art, Sculptures, Rubric #6, Crew #4, #5, #7Cherry Hills Village, Colorado
2015Goodwill Flagship Store, Sculpture, Rubric #1ASaint Paul, Minnesota
2014West Colfax BID’s Art in Transit: Prismatic, Bus SheltersDenver, Colorado
2006Lowenstein Parking Garage LED ScreenDenver, Colorado
2006Eddie Maestas Park Sculptural TrellisDenver, Colorado
2006TD County Line Rd. Station. Sculpture “The Plow”Denver, Colorado
2005Louisiana Station Lofts, Water FeatureDenver, Colorado
1998R.E.I. Flagship Store, “Gate Way Arch”Denver, Colorado
selected private collections
Amy Batchelor and Brad Feld, Boulder, Colorado
Aron and Phyllis Katz, New York and Cannes, France
Beth Goldsmith, Aspen, Colorado
Alan and Stephanie Rudy, Boulder, Colorado
Ann and Walter Dobie, Lafayette, Louisiana
Mark Smith, Denver, Colorado Rutt Bridges, Denver, Colorado
Gary and Barbara Sorensen, Snowmass, Colorado
Kirk Drabing, Denver, Colorado
Byron Watson, Denver, Colorado
editorials and publications
Luxe Interiors+Design, "5 Colorado Artists To Watch", by Christine Deorio, March 11th 2022
Westword, "Emilio Lobato and Emmett Culligan get in shape at Havu", by Michael Paglia, March 13th 2014
Colorado Abstract, Fresco Fine Art Publications, 2009.
Denver Post, Galleries put focus on abstract artists, by Kyle MacMillian, Feburary 18, 2009
Rocky Mountain News, ”In the Galleries” by Mary Voelz Chandler, Feb. 12, 2009
Westword, “Colorado Artists Star in Shows at Gallery T and Havu” By Michael Paglia, Feb 4th 2009
Rocky Mountain News, “Building on a larger Concept”, by Mary Voelz Chandler, Feb. 16th 2008
Westword, “More Beautiful Things”, by Michael Paglia, Feb. 26, 2008
Westword, “Full Circle”, by Patricia Calhoun, Nov. 16th, 2006
Westword, Best of Denver 2003 “Best Local Gallery Show- Solo” March 27th, 2003
Westword, “Hard and Fast”,By Michael Paglia, February 14, 2003
Denver Rocky Mountain News, “Culligan shapes vivid images”, Mary Voelz Chandler, February 8th, 2003
Westword, “Three- Way”,By Michael Paglia, February 8th 2001
Westword, “The Shock of the Now” By Michael Paglia, June 10th 1999