Close to Trees 2011

Sam Gilliam made “Close to Trees” by draping and suspending dyed canvases; a technique that really gets at the heart of artmaking as a process. What’s fascinating here is how the dyed colors saturate the fabric. The way they bleed and blend feels almost accidental, yet I bet it’s totally intentional. There's a real sense of play between the controlled and uncontrolled, something I try for in my own paintings. Look at the folds and creases in the fabric, how they catch the light. The texture of the canvas itself becomes part of the artwork, adding another layer of complexity and depth. It's like each piece of fabric is a landscape, with its own unique topography of color and form. Seeing these I think of Morris Louis; there's something about that stain and soak method that is so affecting. Ultimately, “Close to Trees” shows us that art is about more than just what you see. It’s about the process, the materials, and the way the artist brings them together to create something new and unexpected.