With In 1988

Sean Scully's abstract work, "With In", presents a formal arrangement of horizontal and vertical bands, creating a visually tactile experience. The dominant blues and reds are set against a ground of textured strokes, drawing our attention to the materiality of the work itself. Scully's exploration of the grid recalls the language of modernism. However, unlike the rational, utopian grids of Mondrian, Scully's structure feels more provisional, more human. The textured surfaces and imperfect lines introduce an element of chance and imperfection, disrupting the grid's rigid order. The interplay between the horizontal and vertical elements creates a tension that activates the surface. "With In" invites us to consider how such a seemingly simple arrangement of forms can generate complex emotional and intellectual responses. The work's power lies in its ability to destabilize established notions of order and perfection, opening up a space for ongoing interpretation and personal reflection.