Red April 1970

Sam Gilliam created "Red April" as an exploration of color, form, and emotion. As an African American artist working in the latter half of the 20th century, his work exists in the context of the Civil Rights Movement and its aftermath. Gilliam’s abstract expressionism avoids traditional representation, instead developing alternative narratives through texture and hue. You can see the canvas is stained with vibrant colors: red, yellow, and subtle blues. The splatters and washes evoke a sense of movement, perhaps reflective of the social and political upheavals of the time. Consider the title: "Red April" may evoke the sense of urgency and passion, as well as hint at conflict and change. The color red, with its potent symbolism, could be interpreted as both a sign of vitality and a signal of alarm. Gilliam himself said, "Color is what you feel." "Red April" shapes our understanding of societal issues. The artwork resonates with the emotional and personal dimensions of Gilliam's lived experience as a Black artist in America.