TT 1994

This print, titled "TT", by Sean Scully, presents us with the stark contrast of black and white squares against the warm, rhythmic bars of red and brown. These stripes, a motif that might initially strike us as simple, have a fascinating resonance across cultures and time. Think of the prisoner’s uniform, the awning of a marketplace, or even the heraldry of ancient flags. Stripes evoke boundaries, divisions, but also unity. In some cultures, red stripes symbolize courage and passion, while in others, they are associated with danger or warning. Here, Scully engages with this rich visual history, inviting us to consider how these elemental forms trigger deep-seated emotional and psychological responses. The way we react to these patterns is not merely aesthetic, but a reflection of our collective memory. They resonate with primordial rhythms, such as the rising and setting of the sun, and the ebb and flow of tides. This constant return of the motif, in its various guises, allows us to ponder the cyclical nature of symbolism itself, how patterns and symbols can return, evolve, and carry new meanings across time.