This Time 2008

Sam Gilliam made this abstract composition using acrylic on canvas. During the 1960s, Gilliam emerged as a vital figure in the Washington, D.C. art scene, at a time when American society was fraught with tensions related to the Civil Rights Movement. Gilliam challenged traditional painting norms by staining canvases with vibrant colors and then suspending them from ceilings, allowing them to drape freely. This piece retains those bright shades, but the canvas is fixed in an ordered fashion. Gilliam's approach questioned the established art world, which had long excluded artists of color. His work reflected the political and social upheaval of the era, pushing for greater inclusivity and representation. Gilliam's work defied categorization, blending abstraction with elements of performance and installation art. To understand Gilliam's art more deeply, we can explore archives, exhibition records, and critical writings from the period. These sources shed light on the artist's intentions and the social and institutional forces that shaped his artistic journey.