Sam Gilliam Foundation

Sam Gilliam pushed the boundaries of abstraction by consistently inventing forms and incorporating new materials into his work throughout his life and career.

“— I hope they feel the energy and joy of life that comes out of the painting. I paint what it’s like to be alive.”

Widely revered as a brilliant colorist who used vibrant tones in compelling new ways, Gilliam is recognized for his revolutionary use of color as a means to create structure on the canvas and for his understanding of paint as a sculptural material.

“— I’d call myself a mirror, a mirror that steals from different art movements, reorienting them in order to squeeze out new life.”