Manet III 1999

Sam Gilliam made this collage, Manet III, from paint and various found materials. I love how the textures and colors collide, creating a real sense of depth and movement. There's this one spot near the bottom, a kind of circular shape, where the paint looks almost dripped and scrubbed at the same time. You can almost see Gilliam working, reacting to what's already there, adding and subtracting. It reminds me of my own process – that back-and-forth, intuitive dance with the materials. The physicality of it all, the sheer messiness, is so appealing. It’s not just about the image, it’s about the act of making. Gilliam's work reminds me of Robert Rauschenberg's collages, especially in the way he combines painting with found objects. Both artists seem to embrace the unpredictable, allowing chance and improvisation to guide their process. Ultimately, it’s about seeing the world in a new way, embracing the beauty of imperfection and the endless possibilities of art.