Object Details
- Artist
- Sam Gilliam, born Tupelo, MS 1933-died Washington, DC 2022
- Gallery Label
- Like Alma Thomas, Gilliam remained dedicated to abstract expression at a time when many other African American artists promoted explicit social commentary in their work. April 4--whose title references the day in 1968 when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated -- is a rare instance in which he openly invites connections with topical issues. From the window of his Johnson Avenue studio, the artist had witnessed the devastating looting and fires that broke out along 14th Street in Washington, DC, upon news of King's death. A year later, when he made this painting, much of the damage remained unrepaired. The dark stains in the canvas could suggest the violence of the assassination and its traumatic aftermath. At the same time, its luminous, majestic color honors King and his work, implying a sense of hope.
- Credit Line
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase
- 1969
- Object number
- 1973.115
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- Painting
- Medium
- acrylic on canvas
- Dimensions
- 110 x 179 3/4 in. (279.4 x 456.6 cm)
- See more items in
- Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
- Department
- Painting and Sculpture
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Topic
- Abstract
- History\United States\Black History
- History\United States\Civil Rights Movement
- Homage\King, Martin Luther
- Record ID
- saam_1973.115
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk764cdd779-647f-463c-ad14-8d8b6544e00b
