The Lobby may be in the middle of a move (our new space isn’t open just yet), but that’s not stopping us from celebrating the art!
While the new home comes together, we’re using this time to spotlight some of the incredible artists in our collection.
First up: Sam Gilliam ✨ We’re sharing four of his works, spanning from the 1970s to 2020.
Gilliam (1933–2022) was a trailblazing abstract painter of the Washington Color School, best known for his iconic “drape paintings,” in which he removed canvases from their stretchers and allowed them to flow as sculptural forms.
Bold, fearless, and endlessly inventive, Gilliam redefined what painting could be—and his influence continues to inspire today. His works remind us that art doesn’t just live on walls; it can move through space and change how we see the world. We can’t wait to share them with you in The Lobby’s new home soon.
Sam Gilliam, Untitled, 2020, acrylic on canvas, 72 x 96 inches
Detail (photograph courtesy of Galluci Studio, Portland)
Detail (photograph courtesy of Galluci Studio, Portland)
Detail (photograph courtesy of Galluci Studio, Portland)
Sam Gilliam, Untitled, 2019, watercolor and acrylic on washi paper, 76 x 42 inches
Detail (photograph courtesy of Galluci Studio, Portland)
Detail (photograph courtesy of Galluci Studio, Portland)
Installation image courtesy of Galluci Studio, Portland)
Installation image courtesy of Galluci Studio, Portland)
Sam Gilliam, Untitled, 1970-71, watercolor and inks on handmade paper, 17.5 x 13.5 inches (image courtesy of Galluci Studio, Portland)
Sam Gilliam, Clover, 1973, silkscreen on colors on handmade paper, 26 x 27 inches
Sima is the curator of The Lobby – https://ellenbrowningbuilding.com/the-lobby/