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of art by this artist.
Sam Gilliam Biography
Sam Gilliam, born on November 30, 1933, in Tupelo, Mississippi, was a pioneering American artist whose innovative approach to painting redefined the boundaries of abstract art. He grew up as the seventh of eight children in a family that would soon relocate to Louisville, Kentucky. His father worked on the railroad, and his mother was a homemaker. From an early age, Gilliam demonstrated a keen interest in art, initially aspiring to be a cartoonist and receiving encouragement from his teachers.
Gilliam's formal art education began at the University of Louisville, where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts in 1955 and his Master of Arts degree in painting in 1961. During his time at the university, he held his first solo art exhibition, marking the beginning of his professional journey as an artist. After completing his undergraduate studies, Gilliam served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958, returning to Louisville to pursue his graduate studies upon his discharge.
In 1962, Gilliam married Dorothy Butler, a journalist who would become the first black female reporter for the Washington Post. The couple moved to Washington, D.C., where Gilliam would become an integral part of the city's vibrant arts community and where he would spend the rest of his adult life. It was in D.C. that Gilliam's career as an artist truly flourished. He became associated with the Washington Color School, a group of artists known for their use of bold, flat fields of color and innovative paint application techniques.
Gilliam's work evolved significantly over the years, but he is perhaps best known for his "Drape" paintings, which he began developing in the late 1960s. These works, characterized by unstretched, paint-stained canvases that were suspended, draped, or arranged on the ground, broke through the traditional confines of painting and sculpture. Gilliam was the first artist to introduce this concept of a draped, painted canvas hanging without stretcher bars, a major contribution to the Color Field movement and a lasting impact on the contemporary art canon.
Throughout his career, Gilliam experimented with a variety of materials and techniques, including polypropylene, computer-generated imaging, metallic and iridescent acrylics, handmade paper, aluminum, steel, and more. His work often featured a dynamic interplay of color, form, and texture, and he was known for his improvisational approach, which drew comparisons to the spontaneity of jazz music.
Gilliam's contributions to the art world were recognized with numerous awards and honors, including two National Endowment for the Arts grants, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Louisville. His work has been exhibited in prestigious institutions worldwide, and he was the first African American artist to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale in 1972.
Despite his success, Gilliam faced challenges as an African American artist, including periods of relative decline in interest and recognition. However, beginning in the mid-2000s, there was a resurgence of critical and institutional attention to his work, leading to a reevaluation of his contributions to contemporary art. His later years saw a renewed appreciation for his art, with major solo exhibitions and record-breaking auction sales.
Gilliam's legacy is one of relentless innovation and a profound influence on generations of artists. His work challenged and expanded the possibilities of painting, leaving an indelible mark on the history of art. Sam Gilliam passed away on June 25, 2022, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 88, leaving behind a rich body of work that continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
Sam Gilliam Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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