THE EXPERIENCE and Reflect

I was thrilled to create a unit of learning for my 5th year students that focused on modern British artist, Sean Scully. The task was to design a visual display board that showcased his life and work. To my delight, the students created outstanding work, which prompted me to share their efforts with Scully himself. To my surprise, Scully contacted me and invited us to a private talk in his personal Sean Scully room at the Hugh Lane gallery in Dublin. The principal of the school was also in attendance, and the day turned out to be fantastic.

During the talk, Scully spoke eloquently about his work, which is known for its vital contribution to American abstract art in the 1970s and 1980s. He bucked the trend for figurative Neo-Expressionism in favour of a deeply personal, lyrical language. Scully’s art is highly physical, often monumental in scale, and populated by vigorous, robust shape and form. Yet, it is also an art of great honesty, intimacy, and even vulnerability. He is an abstractionist but not a formalist, deploying the power of colour, depth and volume to provide access to the spiritual domain.

The students were ecstatic when they received the invitation to a private talk with Sean Scully at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin. They had worked hard on the visual display boards and were eager to meet the artist behind the work that had captured their imagination.

During the private talk, Scully shared his artistic process and the inspiration behind his work. The students were engaged and asked insightful questions, reflecting their deep understanding of Scully's art. The principal of the school also attended the talk, and it was evident that everyone was captivated by Scully's words.

The experience of meeting Scully in person and hearing him speak about his work was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the students. They were able to connect with an artist who had made a significant impact on the world of art, and their passion for the subject matter was further ignited. The private talk was an incredible experience that the students will undoubtedly cherish for years to come.