Draped in Color: Sam Gilliam and the Language of Abstraction

He was a visionary who transformed how we see, experience, and think about art. A pioneer of abstract expressionism and a key figure in the Washington Color School, Gilliam revolutionized the very form of painting by taking it off the wall—literally.

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and later rooted in Washington, D.C., Gilliam rose to international prominence with a bold and radical idea: remove the canvas from its stretcher bars and let it hang, drape, and fold like fabric. These innovative “drape paintings” exploded the boundaries between painting and sculpture, turning static surfaces into fluid, three-dimensional installations that invited viewers to move around and through the work.

His use of brilliant, color-soaked canvases transformed space into experience. The movement, texture, and sheer scale of his work challenged the traditional confines of abstract painting and brought a new physicality and presence to the medium. By freeing the canvas, Gilliam also freed the viewer—inviting fresh interpretations and emotional engagement.

Gilliam’s groundbreaking contributions reached a historic milestone in 1972 when he became the first Black artist to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale. At a time when Black artists were often expected to center figurative work around social themes, Gilliam boldly embraced abstraction as a space for personal expression, experimentation, and transcendence. In doing so, he disrupted assumptions about Black art and expanded the possibilities of what it could be.

Over his six-decade career, Gilliam’s practice never stood still. He continuously explored new forms, incorporating geometric motifs, layering textures, and experimenting with materials like handmade paper and metal. His work remained dynamic, expressive, and defiant of categorization.

Today, Gilliam’s art resides in some of the world’s most prestigious institutions—including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Tate Modern. Yet his most enduring legacy lies in his fearless creativity and unwavering commitment to reimagining the language of abstraction.

Sam Gilliam didn’t just change how art looks—he changed how it lives in space, and how it speaks to those who encounter it. His work continues to inspire artists and audiences alike to see beyond the frame and embrace the endless possibilities of artistic freedom.