Sean Scully's "Landline" series, inaugurated in 2013, marks a pivotal shift in his artistic journey, moving from his earlier focus on hard-edged minimalism to a more expressive and fluid style. This series captures the essence of horizons, blurring the distinctions between land, sea, and sky through thick, gestural brushstrokes and bands of color that suggest the vastness and the elemental forces of nature.

The "Landline" series gained significant attention at its U.S. debut at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in 2018, which showcased nearly 40 paintings from the series. These works draw comparisons to the color fields of Mark Rothko and the stripes of Gene Davis, yet they are deeply rooted in the natural landscapes that inspired them. Scully himself has described his work as an attempt to unify the logical and the romantic, aiming to "rescue abstraction from the abstract" and convey the "sense of the elemental coming together of land and sea, sky and land"​ (Hirshhorn Museum)​​ (Smithsonian Magazine)​.

A major highlight of this series was its presentation at the 56th Venice Biennale, where it resonated with viewers for its simplicity and its sublime reflection of the natural world. Scully's technique in the "Landline" series, featuring loose bands of color and a departure from geometric strictness, offers an immersive experience, with the paintings encircling viewers in vibrant, unending color and energy​ (Smithsonian Institution)​.

Throughout his career, Scully has sought to bridge the gap between abstract expressionism and the tangible world, with the "Landline" series standing as a testament to this ambition. His work in this series not only demonstrates a deep appreciation for the natural landscape but also reflects personal and emotional narratives, revealing layers of melancholy and introspection behind the seemingly simple compositions​ (Smithsonian Magazine)​.

Scully's "Landline" series continues to evolve, showcasing his enduring influence in contemporary art and his ability to capture the viewer's imagination with the fundamental elements of color, light, and form.