Stand 1973

Curator: Welcome! We are standing before Sam Gilliam's "Stand" from 1973, rendered with acrylic on canvas. Editor: The title immediately prompts ideas of resilience, standing firm, but visually, it evokes a burst, like something exploding outwards with energy. Curator: Gilliam, often associated with the Washington Color School, challenged conventional painting norms. "Stand" reflects his exploration of color and form, particularly his use of radiating lines that break from the rigid picture plane. One might consider it within the larger context of abstraction expressionism that challenged previous painting traditions. Editor: It definitely rejects boundaries. The colors— blues, pinks, yellows, and deep blacks—aren't contained; they drip and flow, creating this sense of movement. I find myself considering its potential for reflecting the socio-political turbulence of 1973. Was this chaotic outburst meant to mirror social upheaval? Curator: That’s an intriguing proposition. During that time, Gilliam was actively questioning the societal norms around him. And abstraction itself became a form of social commentary. Museums and galleries, often seen as upholders of the establishment, also presented work that radically departed from traditions which were powerful acts themselves. Editor: I think there’s something liberating about abstraction—allowing art to escape the representational confines of the past. Looking at "Stand," it feels like Gilliam is actively dismantling expectations and pushing the boundaries of not just painting, but perhaps even the viewer’s own ingrained understanding. Curator: Yes, the very nature of abstract expressionism encourages active interpretation from its viewers and a dialogue. With “Stand”, we are witnessing the socio-political dialogue occurring through artistic exploration. Editor: I leave this piece with a renewed appreciation for how art can be a force of innovation as a commentary. It's not just about colors and forms; it's about standing for a disruption. Curator: And through this disruptive stance, creating lasting cultural change.