Sam Gilliam, the groundbreaking artist who revolutionized abstract painting by transforming it into three-dimensional sculpture, continues to make headlines even after his passing in 2022. His innovative approach to art, particularly his famous draped paintings, has sparked exhibitions, legal controversies, and inspired new awards in his honor.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) recently showcased an exhibition exploring Gilliam's lesser-known stitched textiles, demonstrating how the artist successfully turned traditional painting into sculptural forms. This exhibition, reviewed by Barry Schwabsky in August 2025, highlighted the artist's innovative textile work that often goes unrecognized compared to his more famous draped paintings.
However, Gilliam's legacy has also become entangled in legal disputes. In July 2025, a lawsuit was filed against both the Sam Gilliam Foundation and David Kordansky Gallery over a disputed drape painting. The suit alleges that these parties attempted to prevent the artwork from going to auction by questioning its authenticity and de-authenticating the piece. This legal battle highlights the ongoing challenges in the art world regarding authentication and the commercial value of significant artworks.
In a more positive development, the art world has established the Sam Gilliam Award to honor the late artist's contributions. In March 2024, Ibrahim Mahama became the inaugural winner of this prestigious recognition, receiving a substantial $75,000 prize. The award is specifically designed for artists who have made significant contributions in any medium and for whom the recognition would be transformative in their careers.
Gilliam's influence extends beyond individual recognition to broader conversations about artistic representation and historical context. Nina Yankowitz, a New York artist active since the mid-1960s, has fought to have her work, particularly her early draped paintings, appreciated without gender bias. Her struggle, as detailed by Glenn Adamson in January 2023, reflects the broader challenges faced by artists working in similar innovative formats during an era when the art world was heavily dominated by patriarchal perspectives.
The international art scene continues to celebrate Gilliam's work through major exhibitions. During London's Frieze Art Fair in October 2022, eight significant shows were recommended for viewing, including a prominent display of Sam Gilliam's late paintings alongside celebrations of Iranian feminist icons. Elizabeth Fullerton noted that while painting exhibitions predominated during the fair, the variety was vast, with Gilliam's work standing out as a prime example of how traditional mediums could be revolutionized.
Gilliam passed away in June 2022 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy as a groundbreaking artist who brought abstraction into the third dimension. His draped paintings, which had recently been canonized in the art world, were being shown widely at major U.S. museums at the time of his death. Alex Greenberger reported that his innovative approach to painting had fundamentally changed how artists and viewers understood the boundaries between painting and sculpture.
The art world's financial challenges have also influenced how Gilliam's work is acquired and displayed. Museums facing budget constraints have increasingly turned to joint acquisitions as a solution, with collaborating institutions including prestigious venues such as the Dia Art Foundation, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. This collaborative approach ensures that significant works, including pieces by artists like Gilliam, can still be acquired and shared among multiple institutions.
Gilliam's work has also been featured in exhibitions addressing broader social issues. The Speed Art Museum's exhibition 'Promise, Witness, Remembrance' explored the parameters of Black representation and expression in America, particularly in the wake of violence. Brianna Harlan's review in June 2021 highlighted how the exhibition confronted erasure and examined the complex relationship between art and social justice.
The international art market has also embraced Gilliam's work, with Pace Gallery expanding its Seoul outpost in April 2021. The expanded space opened with a show featuring new work by Sam Gilliam, demonstrating the global appeal of his artistic innovations as Seoul's art market continued to grow. This expansion reflected the increasing international recognition of Gilliam's contributions to contemporary art.
Even in broader art world news, Gilliam's influence can be seen in ongoing discussions about institutional support and worker rights. Turner Prize winners have stood in solidarity with Tate workers, reflecting the kind of social consciousness that artists like Gilliam embodied throughout their careers.
Sam Gilliam's transformation of painting into sculpture represented more than just a technical innovation; it embodied a fundamental reimagining of what art could be and do. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists while challenging institutions, collectors, and viewers to think beyond traditional categories and boundaries in the visual arts.
