Always a creator
When Justin was young his father, a mechanic, would bring home old starter motors to extract the copper wire which would be used to tie up the grapevine and hold the chook pen together. From early experimentation with the material Justin realised a wire is a line in space that could be utilised to sketch in three dimensions and deliniate space.
Forty something years later, Justin has expanded his use of the wire medium by incorporating the classic kiwi Number 8 wire, chicken mesh and steel rod into his repertoire.
“I enjoy the challenge of taking an everyday industrial product to create a sculpture that has a breathe of life and movement. When an idea comes an unsettled time of labour begins, sometimes frought with difficulties, and literally blood, but to finally have the finished piece 'here' is highly rewarding”
Inspiration comes from the shapes and curves of the feminine form, avian flight and the images from the analogue drawing machine he built in 2021. Galligan is exploring forms with balance without symmetry and has embraced the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi.
Emigrating from Western Australia in 1999, Justin now calls Christchurch Ōtautahi home.
There is more of course but we are trying to keep this brief.