Traveller 1984

Sean Scully made "Traveller" in 1984, and it's a watercolor on paper, a little smaller than a standard piece of paper. I can imagine him making this, moving from left to right, trying out different combinations, orange with grey, then green, then yellow and brown. There's something about the way the blocks of color abut each other that feels like he is working something out. It's a bit like sliding doors, trying different options. I see him testing colors and forms and how they relate. The paint is applied thinly, allowing the paper's surface to remain visible, giving it a light, airy quality. The gesture, though simple, communicates a sense of thoughtfulness. Scully’s work often explores the interaction between colors and shapes, and I think here he is taking us along with him for the ride. It reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin’s subtle grids, but with a bit more swagger. All these artists, they are in conversation, building on each other's ideas, inspiring new ways of seeing. For me, painting is about trying things out, embracing uncertainty, and allowing for multiple interpretations.