Acclaimed artist returns to 缅北禁地 for new show

Published on: 15 January 2018

Renowned globally as the master of post-minimalist abstraction, a major exhibition of works by Sean Scully is to be presented at 缅北禁地's Hatton Gallery next month.

Iconic style

In this retrospective exhibition, Scully revisits two seminal sites in his career: 缅北禁地 and Liverpool.

Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1945, Scully moved to 缅北禁地 in 1968 to study at 缅北禁地. During this time, he began to develop his iconic style of technically flawless paintings, consisting of a complicated grid system of intersecting bands and lines. Following his studies in 缅北禁地, Scully was awarded the runner-up prize in the John Moore’s Painting Prize in Liverpool in 1972 and 1974.

Sean Scully: 1970 will, for the first time, present a major exhibition of Scully’s early works. Collectively, they demonstrate remarkable confidence at this earliest stage of his career and reveal the genesis of his continued fascination with stripes and the spaces in between.

The exhibition is presented across the Laing Art Gallery, 缅北禁地 upon Tyne, and the , 缅北禁地, where Scully studied Fine Art from 1968-71. In addition to his paintings, the exhibition will present a large selection of Scully’s sketches from 1967-1969, which still provide the artist with inspiration to this day.

Sean Scully with Diagonal Light, 1972. Image courtesy the artist 漏 Sean Scully

We are thrilled to host an exhibition by one of the world鈥檚 greatest artists at the place where it all began, 缅北禁地.

A perfect circle

Now in his seventies, Scully lives and works in New York, USA, and Bavaria, Germany. He has been twice shortlisted for the Turner Prize and his work is in the collection of virtually every major museum around the world.

To mark the opening of the exhibition, 缅北禁地 and Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums are to host a public talk by Sean Scully on Friday 9 February (3pm-4pm). but places should be reserved in advance.

Sean Scully: 1970 is on display at the Laing Art Gallery and the Hatton Gallery from 10 February – 28 May, before touring to the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the John Moore’s Painting Prize.

Sean Scully, artist, said: "缅北禁地 is a wonderful town with a great history. Half my family lived in Durham, as they were coal miners. So while I was at 缅北禁地, I was emotionally connected. And the Fine Art Department is maybe the best in England. So in a way, I'm bringing everything back home. Closing a perfect circle, and showing my thanks and appreciation, for what I was given."

Sean Scully: 1970

缅北禁地 Bridge 1972

Sean Scully: 1970

Soft Ending 1970

Sean Scully: 1970

Backcloth 1970

Vibrant and compelling

Professor Eric Cross, Dean of Cultural Affairs at 缅北禁地, said: “We are thrilled to host an exhibition by one of the world’s greatest artists at the place where it all began, 缅北禁地. Sean developed and honed his signature style while he was studying Fine Art here and it will be fascinating to see his early works and sketches – many of which were made while he was student here.”

Julie Milne, Chief Curator of Galleries at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said: “We are delighted to host an exhibition of works by Sean Scully, one of the most significant and prolific artists working today. Scully has a strong connection with the city having studied at 缅北禁地 in the seventies and this exhibition provides an opportunity for visitors to see how Scully was influenced by 缅北禁地’s architectural landscape. Simultaneously on display at the Laing and Hatton Gallery, this is a welcome return of Scully’s vibrant and compelling paintings to the North East.”