Rhinoceros 3 2004

Sam Gilliam created this striking, untitled piece using an assortment of colors arranged in geometric forms. The circle, a prominent motif, transcends mere shape; it is steeped in symbolic significance. Throughout history, the circle has represented wholeness, eternity, and the cosmos. Consider the mandalas of Eastern traditions, or the halos adorning divine figures in Renaissance paintings. The Jungian concept of the "self" emerges here—a symbol of integration and completeness. The tension between the clean lines and the textured surfaces evokes a psychological push and pull, perhaps reflecting our internal struggles to find harmony amid chaos. This echoes in art across time. Think of Rothko's color fields, resonating with similar emotional depths. Ultimately, this work demonstrates how elemental forms carry profound cultural and psychological resonance, continually resurfacing in new artistic expressions. Its symbolic echoes remind us of the enduring power of archetypes in our collective consciousness.