Sean Scully's Figurative Turn Revealed at MAMbo Bologna

A major monographic exhibition at MAMbo in Bologna reveals Sean Scully's figurative side, showcasing his early drawings from the late 1960s that inspired a new series centered on his wife and son on the beach. The show opens with his iconic abstract works, guarded by the installation Opulent Ascension, and culminates in figurative pieces where figures emerge from color. A key work, Figure Abstract and Vice Versa, confirms Scully's authorship through his signature inset technique. The exhibition also includes two works at Museo Morandi: Cactus (1964) from his early figurative phase and a 2000 diptych engaging with Morandi's late works. Scully's connection to Bologna dates back 25 years to a show at Villa delle Rose. The current exhibition builds on previous monographics organized by Kerlin Gallery in Budapest and Athens. Scully's inspirations range from Pollock, Oppenheim, Mondrian, Matisse, Van Gogh, Malevich to Rothko. Themes include grid structure, landscapes, insets, and light studies on walls. While earlier works show experimental tension, recent decades have seen a more stable, sometimes repetitive abstract language.