FIRE,
SAM GILLIAM
/ about the artist
Sam Gilliam (1933-2022) was a prominent American abstract painter and sculptor who emerged into the art scene at the height of the Civil Rights Movement in Washington D.C. Gilliam pushed the bounds of artistry and used his art to provide commentary on the changing social environment of his time. At the beginning of his career, Gilliam was originally associated with the Washington Color School: a group of artists that worked with abstract color field painting specific to the 50s and 60s. Gilliam eventually joined the Spiral Group, which consisted of a group of African-American artists who focused on their relationship to art and the Civil Rights Movement. Gilliam’s commitment to abstract art is highlighted by both groups’ attention to the ever-changing social, political, and artistic spheres.
more work from the
d.c. color school
"Point of Tranquility."
Morris Louis
"Shoot."
Kenneth Noland.
more work from the
spiral group
"Empress of the Blues."
Romare Bearden.
"Marisa in Vogue."
Hale Aspacio Woodruff.
"Composed (formerly Dark as I am)." Sam Gilliam.
1968-1974.
"Blue Let." Sam Gilliam.
1965.
“Fire” (1972) is Gilliam’s first attempt at printmaking, where he demonstrated his skill in color lithography. The title of this piece is clearly representative of the medium, where a fiery streak of ember sits in between two choppy borders of dark paint. Gilliam was known to take creative liberties, often choosing to freely work with his materials in unique and nontraditional ways. In fact, Gilliam often channelled his love for jazz in his artwork, and this love is largely represented by his attention to abstraction. “Fire” is only one example of Lyrical Abstraction, which was a form of post-war, abstract expressionism that emphasized free and undefined creation, further demonstrating Gilliam’s dedication to the art form.
more works by sam gilliam
"Light Depth."
Sam Gilliam.
1969.
"Manet II."
Sam Gilliam.
1999.
/ engage more
Learn more about the print technique Gilliam used to create "Fire."
Listen to Gilliam's musings about the politics of abstract art, his failures and triumphs as an artist, his early beginnings and more — told from his studio in Washington D.C.
Listen to abstract installation artist Rashid Johnson explain the significance of Gilliam's abstract work in the 1960s and 70s. How did his choice to explore the non-representative world change African American art?