Bill Culbert

Pacific Flotsam : 2007

Bill Culberts work was exhibited in the Christchurch Art Gallery in April this year. His work leads audiences through an exploration of light, shadows and perception. I was lucky enough to observe this work and take these photos of Culberts work when I visited the gallery over the easter break. The work incorporated lights, electric wire and plastic bottles spread out across the gallery floor. Culbert described this work as “a portrait of a place – the lights of human habitation glowing in the darkness.”

The large room had black walls which illuminated the work and lit up the whole room. Culbert is based in London and France and this work represents the return to his home country of the Pacific Ocean and the bottles symbolise the many islands seen from the airplane window. Hence the artwork name “Pacific flotsam.”

The title of this work has been displayed in a positive way however the work has two very contradictory meanings. The less than positive associations with this piece is being called the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” that pollutes the ocean between Japan and California. But above all, this work is a beautifully simple lesson in how an artist can turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. This form of installation art is a major work and one of the biggest in Culbert’s collection and it draws its power from what is displayed in front of us. Reclaimed plastic bottles and inexpensive electric light.

"View West Taranaki" collection Govett-Brewster Art Gallery

More collective work of Culberts. The tv installation reminds me of the scene in Willy Wonka when the boy gets shrunk and everyone is wearing those weird glasses. 

"Flat Lighthouse" courtesy Sue Crockford Gallery

This work is similar to the exhibition from the Christchurch Art Gallery except a different form of materials have been used.