Chehaw 1990

Sam Gilliam made "Chehaw" with paint, and probably a brush or two, though who knows what else might have come in handy. Gilliam's color palette is a joyful riot, a reminder that process can be as simple as putting one color next to another and seeing what happens. I love the layering of colors, how they seem to dance and vibrate against each other. The paint is applied in thick, luscious strokes, each one a testament to the artist's hand. Look at the arc of color that sweeps across the center – it's a rainbow of possibility, a testament to the freedom of expression. The yellow square on top really grabs your eye and almost looks as though it is framing the colours. Gilliam's work, in its bold experimentation with form and color, reminds me a little of Frank Stella's early reliefs. But Gilliam's touch is all his own, embracing ambiguity and multiple interpretations.