Similarities between Stefan Gierowski (1925–2022) and Sean Scully (b. 1945) extend far beyond mere visual analogies in their works. Beyond the Line brings together these two masters, both deeply committed to abstract art. Despite being born two decades apart, their artistic careers overlapped for six decades. Throughout this time, each artist developed distinct and deeply personal approaches to abstraction. The movement originated in the two superpowers that dominated 20th-century history: Russia/USSR and the USA. However, neither artist felt the slightest allegiance to these dominant forces. Instead, their works are imbued with European sensibilities and reflect parallel artistic developments through notable visual affinities. What stands out when examining their art and biographies is a staunch sense of independence—“resistance” is a term cherished by both artists in different contexts—and a refusal to conform to mainstream movements.

Examining each artist’s country of birth highlights the roots of their resilience: Poland, ravaged by partitions and two world wars, and Ireland, marked by the Great Famine and centuries of British rule. These lesser-seen parts of Europe fostered a deep sense of individuality in both artists. In the post-war era, Gierowski and Scully played pivotal roles in shaping the future of abstraction in their respective countries. 

Gierowski, born in Poland, aimed to revive modernity after the Polish avant-garde legacy had been heavily strained by the oppressive weight of Soviet-style socialist realism and soulless propaganda art. He turned his back on this cultural vacuum and passionately explored new painterly possibilities. His main axis of expression focused on capturing space through elementary tools: colour, contrast, line, and light. The quasi-infinite possibilities within his compositional arrangements echo the infinity he sought to conjure, securing his position as a leading figure of the Polish avant-garde.

Scully, entering the art scene in the 1960s English-speaking world, also resisted prevailing trends. Rejecting minimalism for its visual fatigue and abstract expressionism for its historical limitations, he blended elements from these movements with European traditions. This cross-pollination resulted in a new language, marked by simple modules of paint that generate complex, transcendent arrangements. Though his forms may appear alike, each is unique.

Through their unwavering loyalty to their aesthetic vision and rejection of fleeting trends, both artists have not only inherited but also transformed the legacy of abstraction. Beyond the Line showcases these two visionary thinkers, whose analogous philosophies have propelled abstract art to new heights.

Joachim Pissarro

artists: Stefan Gierowski and Sean Scully

curator: Joachim Pissarro

assistant curator: Alma Egger

coordination: Aleksandra Unieżycka

graphic design: Alicja Kobza

president of the board: Łukasz Dybalski