ARTIST SPOTLIGHT | Cullen Breaux Interview by Imke Wernicke Berger

This month’s cover art prompted much conversation among the editors of Tethered Literary and when art incites that much discussion we believe it deserves a closer look, which is why we reached out to Cullen Breaux for further inquiry into his process. We also figured getting a portrait of this artist as a young man was in order, so we asked some questions.

Imke: Are you still in art school? Graduated?

Cullen: I’ll be graduating from Louisiana Tech University on August 23rd, 2025.

Imke: Who are you in one word?

Cullen: Quirky.

Imke: Tell me about a principle or quality that is important to you. How does it guide your work/life?

Cullen: Lately, I’ve been learning the importance of setting boundaries, especially with my time and energy. By saying no to things that drain me, I create space to follow through on projects I care about. I also value maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. That balance feeds both my life and my practice.

Imke: How does your family history, birthright, or culture affect your creative process personally or professionally?

Cullen: I come from a long line of strong women. My mother and grandmother were the matriarchs of my family, and I was raised in a flower shop. I’m from Thibodaux, Louisiana, right at the bottom of “The Boot.” My roots are Cajun and deeply Catholic, and that upbringing shows up in a lot of my work. I often question the identities I’ve inherited.

Imke: Share a little about your creative process…

Cullen: I love the process just as much as the final result. My practice involves sketching, collaging, and collecting materials. I get a thrill from digging through what most people would consider junk. I started antiquing when I was in fourth grade and haven’t stopped since. These days, I hunt for materials everywhere: estate sales, yard sales, flea markets, thrift stores, and sometimes the side of the road. The entire process from discovery to assembly is addictive and satisfying. My older works still surround me in my studio. They inspire me just as much as anything new. They’re never really “done.” I often return to sculptures, rework them, or create larger versions of older pieces. For example, "Big Balls in Cowtown", my first assemblage sculpture, features an emu egg nestled in a plunger with a white golf tee sticking out to symbolize conception (egg and sperm.) That concept later evolved into "Sometimes I Feel Like Egg Fruity Salad", a continuation and expansion of that initial exploration.

Imke: What artist or author has influenced your work? Who are your mentors?

Cullen: Trey Abdella has had a huge impact on my work (conceptually and visually). I’m drawn to how he reveals the melancholy and absurdity within the American Dream, often using found objects in his works. My mentor is Joey Slaughter, my sculpture professor. His guidance has been foundational. He’s taught me more than I could ever put into words.

Imke: Is there a book you like to give to people? Which one? Why?

Cullen: I often recommend Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson. It’s not my all-time favorite book, but it’s one I love to share. It reminds me to keep a cosmic perspective and not get too caught up in the small stuff.

Imke: Do you have a favorite children’s book? Why?

Cullen: Goodnight NOLA. It was read to me often as a kid, both at home and in school. It’s become a classic for kids in South Louisiana. Every time I read it, I feel connected to my roots.

Imke: I love ‘Goodnight NOLA’. That was a staple that I read to my kids when they were little . Although I only lived in Louisiana for a decade, it has a huge part of my heart with its rich culture and unique ‘little corners’.

What is your most treasured possession?

Cullen: A gourd lamp I found in an antique shop. Someone drilled tiny holes into a dried gourd and stuck Lite-Brite pegs into them. When it’s lit up, it looks like a constellation. It’s such a weird, wonderful object.

Imke: Do you listen to music while you work? What kind?

Cullen: Always. Whether I’m driving, showering, eating, or making art, music is a constant. I gravitate toward 60s and 70s music like War, Elton John, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, the Beat, but I also love Mac Miller, Weyes Blood, SZA, The United States of America, Daft Punk. My taste is eclectic.

Imke: What do the words “writer’s block” or “creative block” mean to you?

Cullen: I’ve definitely felt burnt out during my time at Louisiana Tech. Creative block can feel like climbing a steep hill. When that happens, I take a walk in the park. Nature has a way of resetting me.

Imke: Share something about yourself you’d like us to know...

Cullen: I’m a Scorpio!

Imke: Do you have a mantra, motto, or life statement you’d like to share?

Cullen: “Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.” - Stephen Hawking

Imke: Thank you so much for your candor. It’s nice to have you in the Tethered community. We will keep an eye on your artistic journey and wish you the best in your path forward.

Cullen: Thank you so much, as well, for the opportunity to exhibit my work!! It makes me so happy when people are interested in my practice. I’m in that in between of being a student and a professional artist, so to be featured in Tethered Literary is a joy! I look forward to keeping contact.