This studentʼs work demonstrates juxtaposition of organic and geometric patterns.

Sue Liedke

When a Sean Scully exhibition came to Philadelphia, I was excited to introduce my students to his bold, large-scale work. The paintings we looked at were massive—wall-sized panels featuring bright geometric patterns of stripes and grids, paired with complementary or contrasting panels of equal scale.

Some of Scully’s pieces were composed of four or more large canvases, juxtaposed to create dynamic combinations. Students enjoyed looking at his work because it was both impressive and engaging. Their own work would later be informed and inspired by these combinations of colors, patterns, and shapes.

Painting with Paper
We began an exploration of color and pattern by collaboratively making a large artwork from cut paper strips. Students worked in small groups to make medium-sized “paintings” by laying the cut strips of colored construction paper on a base, and then we combined them to make a big, colorful cooperative composition. We played around with different layouts, a skill that students would later employ in their individual work.

After viewing Sean Scully's large-scale paintings, students experiment with color, pattern, and line on the gallery floor. Credit: Philadelphia Museum of Art.

A student at work on their paneled pieces.

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