Sam Gilliam, an ingenious colorist, showcased his innovative approach by suspending his canvases in sweeping curves or affixing them in gathered formations on walls, thereby introducing a three-dimensional dimension to his medium.
Renowned for his pioneering use of materials in painting, Gilliam gained acclaim for his distinctive "drape paintings." In this technique, he skillfully manipulated canvases through folding, crumpling, and hanging. The late 1970s marked a pivotal period for Gilliam, as he serendipitously discovered that cutting and rearranging geometric shapes from heavily painted canvases allowed him to extend his explorations in color and improvisation. Gwen Everett, in her book African American Masters: Highlights from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, draws parallels between the dynamic, irregular patterns in these canvases and the intricate designs found in African American "crazy quilts."
Image: Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution
