Cubes 

Editor: These intriguing folded watercolor works are "Cubes," by Sam Gilliam. They almost appear like vibrant origami or perhaps gem stones mounted to the wall. I’m really drawn to the way the colours bleed into each other. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful deconstruction of the traditional canvas and a re-imagining of painting itself. Gilliam, especially as a Black artist working in the late 20th century, was challenging the established norms of the art world. He sought to liberate colour and form, moving beyond the confines of a rectangular frame. This breaking away can be seen as a parallel to the Civil Rights Movement, a literal tearing down of structures, both physical and societal. Do you see how the watercolor application embraces chance, with the colours blending and bleeding organically? Editor: Absolutely. It feels almost… uncontrolled. Curator: Exactly. And I think that's key. The uncontrolled nature speaks to ideas around freedom and a resistance to categorization or restriction. Each 'cube' exists independently but is related in its form and presentation, hinting at both individual and collective identity. The medium itself, watercolor, carries historical weight too. It has often been dismissed as ‘minor’ or feminine artform, Gilliam elevating and subverting its associations by creating these bold 3-dimensional statements. What statement does that say? Editor: It makes the medium feel more powerful and defies expectations. It's definitely a strong political statement that speaks to many cultural factors at the same time. Curator: Precisely. I'm glad you noticed that. These works prompt a crucial conversation about the hierarchies of materials and artistic expressions. I've often wondered if it symbolised African-American identities by using common colors on an unusual structural object to suggest hidden gems in plain sight. Editor: That's a brilliant connection to consider and highlights the cultural relevance that’s both abstract and yet still very representative in art today.