Sean Scully

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This catalogue, the second in a planned five-volume series, chronicles Sean Scully’s paintings from the 1980s. It highlights his major breakthrough works early in the decade and traces the evolution of his mature style alongside his growing success in America and abroad. Originally from Ireland and educated in England, Scully moved to the United States in 1975. By the early 1980s, he was well-established in New York, creating influential works that would shape his artistic trajectory. Through pieces both small (Solomon) and large (Heart of Darkness), Scully crafted a distinctive style characterized by richly painted stripes and shapes, showcasing masterful color control and robust canvases. During a time when abstract painting faced skepticism, Scully revitalized the genre, infusing it with rich references to places, literature, other art forms, and emotions. By the decade's end, he was recognized as one of the most significant artists of the latter half of the twentieth century. Renowned globally, Scully has received prestigious awards such as the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Harkness Fellowship, solidifying his status as a leading figure in contemporary art.