Postwar American artist Sam Gilliam was an innovative Color Field painter and lyrical abstractionist perhaps best known for working directly on draped, unprimed canvases freed from their stretcher bars in as early as the mid-1960s.
Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Gilliam studied art at the University of Louisville, earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees in fine art. He moved to Washington, D.C., in 1962, where he became associated with the Washington Color School. Inspired by the vibrant hues of German Expressionism, Gilliam pushed the limits of his medium by eliminating the use of easels and stretchers. Instead, he painted on draped canvases suspended from the walls and the ceiling of his studio.
Overlooked at first, the resulting works, radiant and rippling with energy, would become universally recognized as a hallmark of Gilliam’s oeuvre. Later in his career, he would draw inspiration from jazz and textile artistry, creating improvisational collage-style “quilted” paintings on nylon or canvas that recall quilt patterns.
In 1972, Gilliam became the first Black artist to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale; he also exhibited at the 2017 Venice Biennale. His works can be found in more than 50 public collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Corcoran Gallery of Art (now the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design) in Washington, D.C., the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Paris Museum of Modern Art, among many others. Gilliam’s awards include the United States State Department Medal of Arts, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship and more.
Find original Sam Gilliam prints and other art on 1stDibs.
Dance '72
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint, 1972. Signed by the artist and dated in pencil, lower right margin. Numbered 24/60 in pencil lower left,. Printed and published by Workshop, Inc., Washington, DC...
Screen
Dance '72
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint, 1972. Signed by the artist and dated in pencil, lower right margin. Numbered 24/60 in pencil lower left,. Printed and published by Workshop, Inc., Washington, D...
Screen
$18,000
Sam Gilliam - Monoprint with collage acrylic stitching & embossing Signed Framed
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
Monoprint with screenprint, collage, acrylic, stitching and embossing in colors on handmade paper, 1994, signed, dated, titled, and numbered 10/40 (each unique) in black and silver i...
Thread, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Rag Paper, Screen
$4,850
RECITALS Signed Mixed Media Print 2009 Abstract Collage, Rainbow Colors, Spirals
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Union City, NJ
RECITALS is mixed media limited edition print by the renowned African American artist Sam Gilliam, created using Archival Inkjet, Relief, and Stencil techniques. This vertical, rainb...
Mixed Media
$6,400
Sam Gilliam - Red and Black to "D", historic 1982 Studio Museum poster, SIGNED
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
Scarce 1982 offset lithograph poster Signed and dated 1991 in ink by Sam Gilliam This is a hand signed exhibition poster for Sam Gilliam's landmark 1982 mid-career retrospective at t...
Lithograph, Offset
$2,800
Offset Lithograph signed & warmly Inscribed to African American Arts prof Framed
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
Sam Gilliam Offset Lithograph Warmly Inscribed to Renowned African American Arts Educator, 1988 Offset Lithograph Card Hand written, signed and inscribed card with a warm personal message from the artist Frame Included Hand written, signed and inscribed offset lithograph card with a warm personal message from Sam Gilliam to Lindsay Waldorf Patterson. Measurements: Frame: 14 7/8 x 12 x 1/2 inches Card: 8 x 5 inches The inscription reads: To Lindsay: With Warmest Regards Sam Gilliam Lindsay Waldorf Patterson was an American English literature educator and author as well as a MacDowell Colony fellow (3 awards); Edward Albee Foundation fellow (2 awards); recipient award National Foundation on Arts & Humanities. Hand signed on the front Provenance: From the estate of Lindsay Waldorf Patterson. Lindsay Waldorf Patterson was an American English literature educator and author as well as an MacDowell Colony fellow (3 awards); Edward Albee Foundation fellow (2 awards); recipient award National Foundation on Arts & Humanities. Formerly an account executive, Harrison Advertising Agency, New York City, 1964; feature writer and columnist assistant to Langston Hughes, Associated Negro Press, 1965; special feature writer (film) Uptight,, Paramount Pictures, 1968; co-host Celebrity Hour program, Station WRVR-FM, New York City, 1974-1977; co-host Black Conversations program, Station WPIX-television, New York City, 1976-1979; assistant Professor of English, Queens College, Flushing, New York, since 1990. Adjunct Professor Afro-American & Caribbean literature, black theater...
Lithograph, Offset, Ink
$12,500
Sam Gilliam -Buoy Landscape IV Mixed media signed/n Abstract Expressionist print
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
Sam Gilliam Buoy Landscape IV, 1982 Color relief print, etching, screenprint, drypoint, aquatint and roulette all from deeply etched copper plates, on handmade wove paper 31 1/2 × 24...
Mixed Media, Drypoint, Etching, Aquatint, Screen
$18,000
Sam Gilliam - Cuatro, Monoprint and collage acrylic stitching & embossing Signed
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
Sam Gilliam Cuatro, 1994 Monoprint with screenprint, collage, acrylic, stitching and embossing in colors on handmade paper Hand signed, dated, titled and annotated P/P by Sam Gilliam...
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Monoprint, Screen
$9,750
Dogon V
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Sam Gilliam (1933–2022) is beloved as one of the 20th century's most important abstract artists. He was a true innovator in the evolution of American abstraction. Gilliam is credited...
Intaglio, Lithograph
Sam Gilliam 1998 Signed Mixed Media Lithograph Edition of 60
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Sam Gilliam Title: Untitled (1998) Year: 1998 Medium: Mixed Media Lithograph Size: 21.5" x 22" Frame: 28" x 29" x 3" Edition: 29/60 Inscription: Signed, dated, and numbered o...
Paper, Lithograph
$9,500
Sam Gilliam Shoebox Mixed Media Relief Etching Collage 1997 Signed Edition of 21
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Sam Gilliam Title: Shoebox Medium: Relief Etching with Collage on Handmade Paper Size: 20" x 23.5", unframed Edition: 16/21 Year: 1997 Inscription: Signed, titled, dated, and...
Paper, Etching
$1,500
H 24 in W 18 in
Yoshitomo Nara Marching on a Butterbur Leaf Print Contemporary Art
By Yoshitomo Nara
Located in Draper, UT
Edition Details: Year: 2019 Class: Art Print Status: Official Released: 10/01/19 Run: 1,000 Technique: Fine Art Lithograph Paper: 80# archival qual...
Lithograph
$162Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.52 in W 3.55 in
Constellation - XXI Century, Contemporary Linocut & Woodcut Print, Abstract
By Maria Stelmaszczyk
Located in Warsaw, PL
MARIA STELMASZCZYK (born in 1983) Studies at the Faculty of Graphic Arts and Painting Laboratory of Woodcut Techniques and Artistic Book at the Academy of Fine Arts Władysław Strzemi...
Paper, Linocut, Woodcut
CB HOYO YES YOU COULD HAVE MADE THIS BUT YOU DIDN'T... Street Art
By CB Hoyo
Located in Draper, UT
Medium: Print Condition Print in good condition and has been stored flat since purchase. Signature Hand-signed by artist, Hand Signed and Numbered by the Artist in Pencil, CB HOYO. ...
Carbon Pencil, Screen
$332
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 0.12 in
Hand Painted One of One Artist's Proof-Sunset Song Blue -British Awarded Artist
Located in London, GB
This one of one unique Artist's proof is 80% hand painted by artist Shizico Yi on Giclee made on Aluminium, the original paints are hand mixed by the artist. It is the only hand pai...
Metal
Nick Thomm - GHOSTS (BLUE)
Located in FITZROY, VIC
Nick Thomm 'GHOSTS' (Blue) 69cm x 92cm (27"×36″) Limited Edition of 199 Hand Signed and Numbered #113 Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle 308gsm Fine Art Paper. Condition: NEW. Wo...
Archival Ink, Giclée, Archival Pigment
Untitled
By Sam Francis
Located in New York, NY
Dynamic and bold color lithograph on Rives BFK. One of 20 numbered Hors Commerce impressions, aside from the edition of 176. This stunning print is signed and inscribed "H.C. 10/20" ...
Color, Lithograph
Nick Thomm - AETHER (GREEN) Standard
Located in FITZROY, VIC
Nick Thomm 'AETHER' (Green) 69cm x 92cm (27"×36″) Limited Edition of 482 Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle 308gsm Fine Art Paper. Condition: NEW. Worldwide Shipping. Sold Unframed.
Archival Ink, Giclée, Archival Pigment
Nick Thomm - Loom (HYDRA) Standard
Located in FITZROY, VIC
Nick Thomm 'LOOM' (Hydra) 69cm x 92cm (27"×36″) Limited Edition of 305. Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle 308gsm Fine Art Paper. Condition: NEW. Worldwide Shipping. Sold Unframed.
Archival Ink, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$800
H 10 in W 10 in D 0.4 in
Untitled limited edition signed abstract geometric print by renowned sculptor
By Keith Sonnier
Located in New York, NY
KEITH SONNIER Untitled, 1995 Letterpress on Sumerset Paper Edition 91/100 Signed and numbered in graphite from the edition of 100, recto Frame included Measurements: Sheet: 6 inches ...
Mixed Media, Pencil, Lithograph
$581
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 0.04 in
After Turner-One Off, Proof No 1-British Awarded Artist-Seascape-river Thames
Located in London, GB
This is a large Artist's Proof with original oil and gesso paint highlighting; it is the No 1 of the only 3 Proofs; the colours of the painting and Shizico's expressive brushstrokes ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Giclée, Gesso, Oil, Acrylic
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 49 in W 32 in
Frankenthaler, Mary Mary 1991, New York City, Lincoln Center
By Helen Frankenthaler
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: After Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) Title: Mary Mary (Lincoln Center Honorary) Year: 1991 Medium: Offset lithograph poster on extra thick Somerset paper Edition: 2000 Size...
Lithograph, Offset
$396Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in W 14 in
Whimsically rendered forest scene, original lithograph
Located in Belgrade, MT
Original lithograph , artist signed and numbered. Very good condition. Paul Charlot French, act painter, landscape painter, abstract , and water color art...
Acrylic
H Series, #63
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Sam Gilliam Title: H Series, #63 Medium: Acrylics on handmade paper collage Date: 2000 Edition: Unique Frame Size: 21 1/8" x 18 1/8" Sheet Size: 11" x 11" Signature: Hand sig...
Canvas, Screen
Sold
H 40.25 in W 47.25 in D 1.5 in
After Smoke: large limited edition abstract screen print, signed Artist Proof
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Bryn Mawr, PA
Please contact me with zip code for reduced shipping rates. Delivery available in the Philadelphia, PA area. This is a large, framed abstract color screenprint on Arches paper. It ...
Archival Paper, Screen
Gunny Sack
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Sam Gilliam Title: Gunny Sack Medium: Printed canvas stitched to screenprint Date: 1974 Edition: 3/10 Frame Size: 32 1/4" x 46 3/4" Sheet Size: 25 1...
Canvas, Screen
Four 200
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Sam Gilliam (1933 - 2022), is known as one of America’s most prominent abstract artists, an important contributor to both color-field and lyrical abstract expressionism. Gilliam intr...
Lithograph
After Smoke
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint on Arches paper. Signed, titled, dated and numbered 22/73 in pencil by Gilliam. Printed by Lou Stovall at the Workshop, Inc., Washington,...
Color, Screen
Purple Antelope Space Squeeze
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this relief, etching, aquatint and collagraph on hand-made paper with embossing, hand-painting and hand-painted collage. Signed and dated in pencil by Gilli...
Paint, Handmade Paper, Etching, Aquatint
Sold
H 38 in W 20 in
RECITALS Signed Mixed Media Print, Abstract Collage, Rainbow Colors, Spirals
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Union City, NJ
RECITALS is mixed media limited edition print by the renowned African American artist Sam Gilliam, created using Archival Inkjet, Relief, and Stencil techniques. This vertical, rainbow colored, bold geometric composition presents the viewer with an abstract collage of circles, squares, spirals, textures, and translucent layers. The 3-D effect of Japanese washi tissue paper with spiral design lace overlaying the main shapes gives a sense of lightness and dimension. A subtle texture of woodgrain is discernible in the print margins, adding warmth. The glowing rainbow color area and large black and red violet textured spheres set an atmospheric, planetary feel beneath the semi-opaque lacy black and white squares. Print size - 38 x 20 inches, unframed, excellent condition, pencil signed, numbered, and titled by Sam Gilliam Edition size - 100 Year published - 2009 Sam Gilliam (1933-2022)was an American color field painter and lyrical abstractionist artist. Gilliam was associated with the Washington Color School, a group of Washington, D.C.-area artists that developed a form of abstract art from color field painting in the 1950s and 1960s. His works have also been described as belonging to abstract expressionism and lyrical abstraction. He worked on stretched, draped and wrapped canvas, and added sculptural 3D elements. He was recognized as the first artist to introduce the idea of a draped, painted canvas hanging without stretcher bars around 1965. This was a major contribution to the Color Field School...
Mixed Media
Pretty Boxes
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Washington, DC
SAM GILLIAM PRETTY BOXES Artist: Sam Gilliam Title: Pretty Boxes Medium: Color screenprint and offset lithograph with collage on Arches paper Date: 1993 Ed...
Screen
Untitled
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this screenprint on hand made, hand dyed paper. Signed, dated and numbered 7 in pencil by Gilliam.
Dye, Handmade Paper, Color, Screen
Untitled (for the College Art Association)
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
SAM GILLIAM Untitled mixed media collage, 1998 Collage, mixed media and lithograph on handmade paper Edition 37/60 Signed and numbered 37/60 in graphite pencil Framed This mixed medi...
Mixed Media, Lithograph
Sold
H 38 in W 20 in
RECITALS Signed Mixed Media Print, Abstract Collage, Rainbow Colors, Spirals
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Union City, NJ
RECITALS is mixed media limited edition print by the renowned African American artist Sam Gilliam, created using Archival Inkjet, Relief, and Stencil techniques. This vertical, rainb...
Mixed Media
Untitled (aka "Midnight")
By Sam Gilliam
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Sam Gilliam (b. 1933), is known as one of America’s most prominent abstract painters, an important contributor to both color-field and lyrical abstract expressionism. Gilliam introduced groundbreaking art making techniques throughout his career. Born in Mississippi, Gilliam studied at the University of Louisville and later worked in Washington D.C. with the Washington Colour School among artists such as Morris Louis and Kenneth Noland. The artist’s practice has constantly evolved in style and material. While known most famously as the creator of monumental draped canvas...
Handmade Paper, Screen