Event archive
Sean Scully at Houghton Hall - Smaller Than The Sky
- 4 May 2023 2.00pm - 5.00pm
- Houghton Hall, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6UE
- Exclusive to EAAF Members - if you're not a member and would like to attend this event Join Now.
Be amongst the first to see new works by world-renowned artist Sean Scully at Houghton Hall. The exhibition, curated by museum director Sean Rainbird, showcases a full range of the artist’s sculpture across the grounds and within the historic interior of the hall.
Born in Dublin, Sean Scully came to prominence primarily as a painter in the early 1970s, evolving a distinctive form of abstraction throughout the decade. This led him away from the geometric purity of minimalism to an expressive, multi-layered abstract painting. The works with which he gained international recognition comprise coloured bars and horizontal beams, some with inset or relief elements.
Several new works will be included in the exhibition, including stacks made of sandstone, wood, glass and marble. The sculptures range in scale from small maquettes to monumental open structures in steel, such as Crate of Air, and a new Wall of Light sculpture, constructed from locally sourced limestone. The exhibition will be a showcase of Scully’s outdoor sculptures in dialogue with works in other media.
Sean Scully’s concern for the environment and his focus on nature is reflected in the title of the exhibition - England, as we’ve seen from the fabulous paintings by Constable, is a country very informed by sky. People talk about the sky all the time. So, it’s a source of inspiration. When you put sculptures outside, you are aware that the sky is illuminating them, and conditioning how they look. Whatever you put out there is always humbled by the bigness of the sky. Sean Scully
Our event will begin with a walking tour of the exhibition and conclude with afternoon tea and drinks in the Old Kitchen Courtyard. Tickets are £45 per person. Event is hosted by Amanda Geitner.
You may wish to arrive early to enjoy the walled gardens and visit Contemporary and County in the Stables.
| 2pm | Meet in the Stables Courtyard |
| 2 - 4pm | Tour of exhibition led by Amanda Geitner |
| 4pm | Afternoon Tea in the Old Kitchen Courtyard |
| 5pm | Event Close |
