Sean Scully British, b. 1945

Sean Scully was born in Dublin in 1945, moving to London with his family at a young age. Enduring the challenges of a working-class upbringing, he found solace and expression in art. In the mid-1960s, Scully studied at Croydon College of Art and later Newcastle University, where his unique abstract style began to take shape. Inspired by the modernist grid, he developed a distinctive approach characterised by bold, interlocking blocks of colour and texture.

In 1975, Scully moved to New York City, immersing himself in the vibrant art scene and establishing himself as a key figure in contemporary abstraction. His works, such as the celebrated "Wall of Light" series, reflect a deep engagement with human emotion and the physicality of painting. Scully's art, often lyrical and monumental, explores themes of structure, chaos, and the interplay between light and shadow.

Throughout his career, Scully has received numerous accolades, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the Royal Academy of Arts election. His work is exhibited globally, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Tate Modern.

He currently lives and works between New York and Germany.