Cut ground

Kerlin Gallery, Anne’s Lane, South Anne St, Dublin Mon- Fri 10am-5.45pm, Sat 11am- 4.30pm Oct 6-Nov 19 01-6709093

Sean Scully introduces his new group of paintings with a memory from his Dublin childhood. He recounts how, day by day when he was 10, he stole candles from a Catholic church, amassing a collection which he buried in the garden. Then a priest, who was “skillfully and persuasively non-confrontational, came calling.”

Did young Scully have anything belonging to God, the priest wondered. If he did, and if he were to return it, “I would be in ‘higher standing’ with God than I would be if I hadn’t taken it in the first place. This immediately appealed to my strong sense of business.” The two of them dug up the perfectly preserved booty and parted on good terms.

Even now, Scully notes, when he visualised the candles, “they seem to glow”. And why not? Unlike his classical precursor, Prometheus, Scully managed to steal fire from the gods and gain from the experience.

In Scully's Kerlin show, paintings are juxtaposed with recent examples from his appropriately named, ongoing Wall of Lightseries.

Can't see that? Catch this

On Common Ground RUA RED, South Dublin Arts Centre, Tallaght Until Oct 29