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Walls of Aran
Sean Scully's photographs, with their horizontal and vertical shards of limestone, echo his painted work, revealing a creative process expressed through abstract shapes.
Sean Scully is one of today's most esteemed painters, whose familiar signature style of lines or bands of color is instantly recognizable. Scully is also an accomplished photographer, his eye drawn in particular to architectural shapes that have clear affinities with his painted work.
During the summer of 2005, he spent time on the remote Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland, photographing the ancient dry-stone walls that criss-cross the stark and barren landscape. This book brings together for the first time his sensitive images, revealing the unexpected yet monumental beauty of these centuries-old structures that meander across the windswept and rocky islands. In their form and spirit, the photographs shed light on Scully's own sensibilities as an artist. They also capture the stillness and serenity of this rugged, timeless place on the edge of Europe.
An evocative text by the award-winning Irish writer Colm Tóibín conveys the mysterious beauty of the three Aran Islands. 75 duotone photographs.
Sean Scully is one of today's most esteemed painters, whose familiar signature style of lines or bands of color is instantly recognizable. Scully is also an accomplished photographer, his eye drawn in particular to architectural shapes that have clear affinities with his painted work.
During the summer of 2005, he spent time on the remote Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland, photographing the ancient dry-stone walls that criss-cross the stark and barren landscape. This book brings together for the first time his sensitive images, revealing the unexpected yet monumental beauty of these centuries-old structures that meander across the windswept and rocky islands. In their form and spirit, the photographs shed light on Scully's own sensibilities as an artist. They also capture the stillness and serenity of this rugged, timeless place on the edge of Europe.
An evocative text by the award-winning Irish writer Colm Tóibín conveys the mysterious beauty of the three Aran Islands. 75 duotone photographs.
- GenresNonfictionPhotographyArt
128 pages, Hardcover
First published July 2, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 14, 2016
A lovely book, interspersing Scully's photos of the mythic stone walls, his abstract paintings of the same, and Toibin's text on his visits to the islands, especially Meain. The book certainly evokes an elemental response, as does the experience of being there.
Scully remarks that he brought art students from Munich there for a week, and the transformation the islands wrought could be seen on their faces within two days of being there. Toibin reflects on Synge's play, "Riders to the Sea", inspired by his living among the island people and the terrifying presence of the Sea that pervades the place.
The walls of Aran are 'egoless', in that we don't know who made them. They are totally functional, needed to keep the wind out and the animals in. They are also amazing feats of composition and beauty. Something to behold.
Scully remarks that he brought art students from Munich there for a week, and the transformation the islands wrought could be seen on their faces within two days of being there. Toibin reflects on Synge's play, "Riders to the Sea", inspired by his living among the island people and the terrifying presence of the Sea that pervades the place.
The walls of Aran are 'egoless', in that we don't know who made them. They are totally functional, needed to keep the wind out and the animals in. They are also amazing feats of composition and beauty. Something to behold.
August 31, 2014
Great photographs an an excellent essay on the Aran Isles
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews