By the 1960s, Scully had embarked on a path that would soon diverge from the prevailing minimalist trends of the time. His early work in this decade experimented with the visual effects of Op Art, as seen in pieces like "Shadow" (1970). This piece reflects his interest in creating depth and movement through precise, horizontal bands across the surface, complemented by background vertical black strips and wavering colors, reminiscent of the industrial landscape of Newcastle. These "supergrids" were characterized by tightly woven networks charged with electrical energy and momentum, indicating Scully's fascination with structure, energy, and movement (The Art Story). The transition to the 1970s saw Scully in New York, engaging with the minimalist and op art movements, yet he gradually moved towards a more personal and expressive form of abstraction. This period was marked by a significant development in his style, moving away from the hard edges and precise lines towards a more gestural, emotive approach. The "Black paintings" series, featuring a reduced palette to grey monochromes, signaled this shift. It was during this time that he started to merge the objectives of American Minimalism with those of European Op art, creating a unique synthesis through the use of overlays and "supergrids" (Wikipedia). Scully’s evolution in the late 1970s and into the 1980s was influenced by personal tragedy and physical suffering, leading to the creation of works that were emotionally charged and deeply melancholic. The introduction of colored blocks and panels applied through the thick application of paint marked a new phase in his oeuvre. These works, both melancholic and sublime, began to explore the human condition, frailty, and the complexity of human relationships. His "Landline" series, for example, is notable for evoking the sublime, drawing the viewer into an intense emotional experience through fluid lines and layers (The Art Story). Throughout his career, Scully has remained connected to the physical and tangible aspects of painting, incorporating textured surfaces and a checkerboard motif that echoed the societal changes in Ireland. His work, often composed of multiple panels, showcases an architectural construct of abutting walls and painted stripes, a motif he has refined over the years. This exploration of abstract patterns, coupled with a deep engagement with the spiritual and poetic dimensions of art, underscores Scully's significant contribution to contemporary abstract painting (www.wikiart.org). Scully's influence extends beyond his paintings. His role as an educator and his significant contributions to the academic world, notably at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, highlight his commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists. His works, represented in major museums and collections worldwide, reflect a journey through abstraction, marked by a constant dialogue between the minimal and the expressive, the geometric and the gestural (www.wikiart.org).
