Tapestry 2000

Sam Gilliam, an African American color field painter and lyrical abstractionist, created this tapesty. Gilliam, who was born in 1933, emerged during the Civil Rights Movement, a period of intense social and political upheaval, deeply impacting his artistic practice. Gilliam's abstract work, with its vibrant colors and dynamic forms, diverges from traditional representation. His use of color and form is often interpreted as a metaphor for freedom and liberation, echoing the struggles and aspirations of the Civil Rights era. The layered and textured surfaces might evoke the complexities and nuances of identity. The work stands as a powerful testament to the intersection of art, identity, and the ongoing pursuit of social justice. "Art is about finding a new form, a new idea," Gilliam once said, emphasizing his commitment to pushing boundaries and challenging conventions. His tapestries invite us to engage with art as a space for dialogue, reflection, and transformative possibility.