David Carrier's Monograph on Sean Scully Analyzes Artist's Urban Abstraction and Influences
In his 2004 book, David Carrier examines Sean Scully as a pivotal figure in the reinvention of abstract art, where stripes serve as conduits for emotion. This 224-page publication, released by Thames & Hudson at a price of $65, features Scully's own words, positioning him as a coauthor. Carrier posits that Scully's stripes reflect urban landscapes and the essence of blues music, while the internal panels suggest architectural fragmentation. Scully, originally from Ireland, faced a challenging upbringing in South London before moving to New York. Influenced more by Jackson Pollock than by his claimed mentors—Matisse, Mondrian, and Rothko—the book outlines Scully's journey from minimalism to expressive modernism, linking his art to Western urban life and Islamic motifs. This review was published in the New York Sun on July 29, 2004.
Key facts
- David Carrier published a monograph on Sean Scully in 2004
- The book is 224 pages and costs $65
- Thames & Hudson published the volume
- Scully was born in Ireland to working-class parents
- He endured a difficult childhood in South London
- Scully studied art in England before moving to New York
- He now divides his time between America, Germany, and Spain
- Carrier identifies Jackson Pollock as a stronger influence than Scully's stated mentors
Entities
Artists
- Sean Scully
- David Carrier
- Giorgio Morandi
- Agnes Martin
- Kenneth Noland
- Jackson Pollock
- Matisse
- Mondrian
- Rothko
- Canaletto
- Turner
- Baudelaire
Institutions
- Thames & Hudson
- New York Sun
Locations
- Ireland
- South London
- England
- New York
- America
- Germany
- Spain
- Venice
- Mexico
- Morocco