Object Details
- Artist
- Sam Gilliam, born Tupelo, MS 1933-died Washington, DC 2022
- Gallery Label
- Known for inviting chance and change into his process, Sam Gilliam created Swing by folding and crumpling canvas that he had soaked in paint. Once dry, the bundled fabric was opened and hung to reveal dazzling fields of spontaneous color and pattern.
- The title Swing reflects the swagged shape of the painting, hanging free of stretcher bars. The word also evokes Gilliam's desire to "just work and let things go," like the bebop and jazz musicians he liked to listen to while painting.
- Credit Line
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. Edwin Janss, Jr.
- 1969
- Object number
- 1973.189
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- Painting
- Medium
- acrylic and aluminum on canvas
- Dimensions
- 119 5/8 x 283 1/2 in. (303.8 x 720.1 cm)
- See more items in
- Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
- Department
- Painting and Sculpture
- On View
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, 3rd Floor, North Wing
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Topic
- Abstract
- Record ID
- saam_1973.189
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7dbb31481-2ce0-437b-9876-f3c512d26a3a
