Sam Gilliam (b. 1933) is an American artist renowned for his innovative contributions to abstract art and his pioneering work with color and form. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, he later moved to Washington, D.C., where he became a prominent figure in the Washington Color School movement. Gilliam studied at the University of Louisville and received his BFA from the School of Fine Arts at the University of Maryland.
Gilliam is best known for his unique technique of draped and suspended canvases, which challenged traditional notions of painting as a flat, framed object. He often uses vibrant colors and complex patterns, allowing the materiality of the canvas itself to become a significant part of the artwork. His “soak-stain” method, akin to that of Helen Frankenthaler, involves saturating the fabric with paint, creating a dynamic interplay of color and texture.
Throughout his career, Gilliam has explored themes of identity, culture, and abstraction, often incorporating elements of his African American heritage. His work has been exhibited widely, including at major institutions like the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C.