DiaTalks- Jessica Bell Brown and Eric N. Mack on Sam Gilliam

[@edplunk600]

Noose? Why can't people "allow" non Whites to do something else besides art related to what Whitty does to people?

[@harima36]

Glad that not much of substance was said about Sam's work here because words diminish the direct experience. Sam is a master of restraint. I feel that you are not representing '68, '69, '70' or Sam to the standard they deserve. Sam is a master of restraint. He knows when to stop. At times covered head to toe in paint, his hands and eyes have a light touch. He towered above me and had already gone over the edge from abstraction and into the new. - I was a 113 lb., 18('68), 19('69), 20('70) year old child prodigy (as stated by those providing my scholarships) eating, breathing and ecstatic to be in the thick of color 12 hours a day. I, once clear that my direction was color was guided by my benefactors primarily to Sam Gilliam, then Gene Davis, Ed Mcgowin, Leon Berkowitz and many others at Corcoran and MICA. The Atrium of Corcoran was the apex and nexus of creativity that spread out from there and so it seemed to all of D.C. The air was alive with energy and excitement. This dynamic existed because of the interfacing of painters, teachers, students and the public. Many artists mentioned (and not) taught at Corcoran. Many painters of high standard shown in the Atrium. Some excellent painters never to be seen again. Ever-changing shows in the atrium were probably one of the greatest influences and stimulants that activated the beehive that was Corcoran. For students and teachers alike inspiration was drawn from the work shown. We would come bouncing through that Atrium of continual surprises never knowing what might occur next. - My dad used to work at the NSF around the corner and would drop me in front of the Corcoran every day at 6:00 am. One of those days i came bouncing through the doors greeted by Sam's huge draped canvas up in the corner. To the left was an Olitski, a Morris Louis on the other wall. That was the day I learned everything... that was the day i learned no words are necessary for that which is timeless, complete, and pure. 50 years later undiminished. Content, vitality, and timelessness. To this i will attest. -