Description:

Sam Gilliam
(African American, b. 1933)
A Fog in the Hollow
Unique monotype on hand-constructed paper
Signed, titled, dated and inscribed P/P.

Sam Gilliam's spontaneous and improvisational techniques, particularly his pouring of vivid pigment on to un-stretched, draped canvas, make him one of the foremost artists to emerge from the Washington art scene. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1933, Gilliam spent his youth in Louisville, Kentucky. He studied art at the University of Louisville, where he had his first solo exhibition. In 1962, he moved to Washington D.C. where he was to remain. Here, he was introduced to the Washington Color School. His own innovation was to use bold colors on draped, unframed canvases.

In the seventies, Gilliam moved away from the draped canvases and became influenced by jazz musicians such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane. He started producing dynamic geometric collages, which he called "Black Paintings" due to the hue. Again, in the 1980s Gilliam's style changed dramatically to quilted paintings reminiscent of African patchwork quilts from his childhood. His most recent works are textured paintings that incorporate metal forms. Gilliam's ability to move beyond the draped canvas, coupled with his ability to adopt new series keeps the viewers interested and engaged. This has assured his prominence in the art world as an exciting and innovative contemporary painter.

His work has been featured in exhibitions at the Speed Museum, Louisville, 1959, 1961; Institute of Contemporary Art, Washington D.C., 1965; MOMA, Buenos Aires, 1965; Smithsonian Institute, 1968; Minneapolis Institute of Art, 1968; Whitney Museum of American Art, 1969; Art Institute of Chicago, 1970; Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, 1971; MOMA, NY, 1969, 1971; Pace Gallery, 1972; James A. Porter Gallery, 1970.

His work can be found in the collections of the Museum of African Art, Washington D.C.; Museum of Modern Art; Phillips Collection; Washington Gallery of Modern Art; National Collection of Fine Arts; Corcoran Gallery; Howard University; Carnegie Institute; and the Walker Art Center, MN.

25.5" x 38.5", irregular shape

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May 30, 2013 1:00 PM EDT
Indianapolis, IN, US

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Bid Increments
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$3,000 $4,999 $250
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