Preview Sean Scully at Leeds Art Gallery
The world-famous abstract artist Sean Scully exhibits at Leeds Art Gallery this summer
Preview: Sean Scully at Leeds Art Gallery
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Being credited with changing the face of modern art is quite a boast. But the acclaimed abstract artist Sean Scully is able to trumpet just that. Twice nominated for the Turner Prize, Scully is renowned for developing the field of abstract art with his use of “minimalist shapes” and “multiple layers of paint”.
Born in Dublin in 1945, over the years Scully has developed and refined his instantly recognisable style. His work is known for its scale, geometric stripes and physicality. Individual pieces are typically colourful, textured and wonderfully voluminous. “My work is really based on a kind of idealism and romanticism with beauty and form and profundity all wrapped up,” says Scully.
You can see a collection of his art, titled Works from the 1980s, for yourself at Leeds Art Gallery, until 8th August. The exhibition showcases Scully’s work from the period when his reputation was most strongly forged. A result of his growing status and experimentation during this period led to Scully being nominated for the Turner Prize in 1989 and 1993.
During the 1980s Scully introduced relief elements in his paintings, making his work more emphatic and physical by layering the paint on quite thickly to create textured surfaces: “I liked the idea of looking at a painting that you could not look at just from the front but had to move around,” he said.
Scully often paints with oil but also uses watercolour and draws in pencil. He frequently works on a monumental scale and the very large paintings in the exhibition – which typically involve panels of dense and lushly painted stripes and checkerboard patterns – are breathtaking. However, even his smaller and more delicate paper works, including watercolours and textured charcoals, are exceptionally impressive.
Councillor John Procter said: “It is fantastic that Leeds Art Gallery has been able to attract an artist of such world-famous renown as Sean Scully. This is another great sign of the standing of Leeds Art Gallery as one of the major galleries outside London.”
Scully’s works can now be seen in some of the finest art galleries in the world, including the Tate and the Guggenheim in New York. Asked why he makes art, Scully replied: “I wanted to do something in my life that wasn’t ordinary – which wasn’t normal. I couldn’t bear to live my life as a normal person, put another way: conventionally.”
Until 8th August, Leeds Art Gallery, Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 10am-5pm, Wed 12-5pm, Sun, 1-5 pm, free, www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery
[Image: Without by Sean Scully]
Posted on Friday 25th June 2010
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Leeds Art Gallery
The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AA
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