Untitled 1984

Editor: This is an untitled watercolor drawing by Sean Scully from 1984. It has these stacked, colored blocks and stripes and it makes me think of… a deconstructed flag, maybe? What do you see in this piece? Curator: The use of stacked forms immediately brings to mind the visual language of maps, perhaps representing architectural blocks or territories. Given Scully's engagement with abstract expressionism, though, the shapes become carriers of deeper meaning. Editor: Meaning like…? Curator: Consider the emotional resonance of color. The blues, browns, and yellows...what memories or feelings do these shades stir within you? Each color choice echoes emotions, traditions, and memories carried throughout time, imbuing the image with significance. Editor: I hadn’t thought about them as symbols. Blue does feel calmer somehow. The browns more earthy. Curator: Absolutely. These associations are deeply rooted in cultural memory. Also, observe the stripes. Their repetition suggests a ritual, a pattern—think of weaving or bricklaying, crafts laden with historical and cultural importance. These geometric forms almost become hieroglyphs in their simplicity. What narratives might they be telling? Editor: So, the abstraction doesn't necessarily erase meaning, but maybe opens it up? Invites different interpretations? Curator: Precisely. Abstraction distills the essence of imagery, allowing symbols to breathe with a different life that still retains the familiar but adds more depth and personal associations. Editor: That's a great way to look at it. It definitely makes me see the painting differently. Curator: I’m glad. Looking closely at these elemental images offers us a pathway for meaning that endures throughout history and across different cultures.