From the Artist
I've learned to 'get rid of rules'...which is the best form of creation.
—Excerpted from Sam Gilliam: Of Fireflies and Ferris Wheels. Monastery Parallel, Art Museum Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen, 1996-97.
In 1987 Brandywine published Untitled by Sam Gilliam, a color screen-printed and hand-applied acrylic-painted mixed-media print in an edition of 38. To create this image, 400 multi-colors were offset printed, then divided in half and arranged in a rectangle. Gilliam finished the opaque screen-printed colors and bold strokes of acrylic paint, which made each print within the edition unique. The edges were cut into strips and laced black onto the print, capturing the improvised spirit of jazz music.
—From Brandywine Workshop and Archives records
Sam Gilliam worked in many mediums, including sculpture, painting, and printmaking. He is best known for his Drape paintings, which have been exhibited globally for decades. Gilliam’s Abstract Expressionist prints explore mark-making, texture, and form. His work is influenced by his experiences with the civil rights movement, his African American heritage, and his relationship with the Color Field school of artists.
—From Brandywine Workshop and Archives records
