In celebration of Sean Scully’s 80th birthday, the Bucerius Kunst Forum (Hamburg) presents a major retrospective covering over six decades of his work.
Sean Scully (b.1945 in Dublin, lives and works between New York, London, and Mooseurach in the south of Germany), one of the most important non-representational artists of today, is known for his large paintings on which he applies multiple layers of oil paint, creating a striking, tactile texture. Along with the heavy application of paint and broad brushstrokes, his works are distinguished by their large scale and checkerboard patterns.
Themes of loss, longing, joy, and memory are explored through visual and auditory elements. Scully’s process of painting over older works reflects a continuing search for meaning. Photographs of architecture and landscapes highlight his sources of inspiration, guiding viewers through abstraction with real-world references. Ultimately, the show reveals Scully’s belief that all abstraction carries personal resonance as well as conveys deep emotion and narrative.
