Sam Gilliam
SAM GILLIAM “ICHI” MONOPRINT, 1994
Sam Gilliam (1933-2022) is known as one of America’s most innovative painters, associated with color-field and lyrical abstract expressionism. He has introduced groundbreaking art-making techniques throughout his career - most notably removing the canvas from the stretcher and hanging his paintings in drape-like arrangements.
Born in Mississippi, Gilliam studied at the University of Louisville and established his career and reputation in Washington D.C. along with the Washington Colour School artists such as Morris Louis and Kenneth Noland.
Gilliam's practice has constantly evolved in style and material going beyond his iconic and monumental draped canvas works. Throughout his impressive career, Gilliam has explored printmaking, painted collage, and watercolor.
Endlessly explorative, Gilliam developed a striking quilt-like pattern in the 1980s, reminiscent of African patchwork quilts from his childhood. This approach consisted of thoughtfully arranged asymmetrical geometric shapes made into bold patchwork compositions.
Although this work comes nearly a decade after Gilliam’s transition to quilted patterns, “Ichi” recalls the technique with the inclusion of raw stitching over layered geometric shapes. This work is an outstanding example of Gilliam’s affinity for experimentation, having incorporated contrasting shapes, textures, and colors to create a composition with a fascinating degree of depth.
While his work from the 70s onward feels strikingly different from the drape-works, it should be pointed out that the bravest American abstract artists continued to experiment and evolve rather than continue (re)producing their debut aesthetic. (Frank Stella is another artist who similarly superseded his early style).
In the last five years or so, Gilliam’s work has enjoyed a significant renaissance; galleries and institutions across North America are mounting solo exhibitions of the artist. Notably, the Kunstmuseum Basel hosted the first major European retrospective of the artist in 2018.
Questions about this piece? Contact us or call +1.416.704.1720
“Ichi”
USA, 1994
Monoprint with screenprint, collage, acrylic, stitching, and embossing in colors, on handmade paper
Signed, titled, dated, and numbered by artist
From an edition of 40
33”H 25”W
Framed
Very good condition
- Where does the inventory ship from?
Our inventory is divided between New York and Toronto.
- Where do you ship to?
We can ship anywhere. Typically when we ship within North America we prefer to use FedEx or DHL. To Europe, Asia and beyond we generally use DHL.
- How much does it cost to ship?
For shipments within North America, we typically charge a flat rate fee. Many items on our site will list the rate. For shipping outside of North America, we can easily provide a quote and will look for the most efficient and economical option.
Most of the items on our site can be easily shipped internationally.
Occasionally we will recommend that an artwork be removed from its frame for shipping. Larger framed works are typically framed with plexiglass. We export over 80% of what we sell, so we are comfortable shipping anywhere.
- Are there additional taxes or fees?
When a work is valued above $2,500 usd there is a possibility of tax of 0.35%, but this is applied sporadically. There can similarly be an additional fee for customs brokerage and this can range from $20 - $65. US Taxes, duties and customs brokerage are not included in our flat rate shipping. However most of our shipments to the US enter without any additional fees.
- Do you provide a certificate of authenticity?
Yes, we guarantee everything we sell. We can provide both a digital and printed version of our certificate of authenticity.
What is your return policy?
- Caviar20 wants you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase. We have a 7 day no-questions full refund return policy for your purchase. Shipping charges are non-refundable. Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer. After 8 days returns are given a credit note. There is no expiration for our credit notes.
- What payment methods do you accept?
Canadian clients are welcomed and encouraged to pay with interac.