“Elegy #2,” created by Sam Gilliam in 1980, is an exemplary piece belonging to the Abstract Expressionism movement and falls under the abstract genre. The artwork encapsulates the artist’s skillful interplay of colors and textures, rendering a profound visual experience.
The artwork presents an array of vivid colors splattered and interwoven across a textured surface, creating a dynamic and emotive composition. Dominated by hues of blue, red, and yellow, the piece is marked by an irregular, roughly rectangular shape with uneven and distressed edges. The textured surface appears highly tactile, suggesting an intense process of layering and manipulation. The colors seem to dance and merge, forming a complex interplay of light and shadow, evoking a sense of movement and depth. This compelling interplay within the canvas exemplifies the Abstract Expressionist ethos, highlighting the emotional intensity and the expressive potential of abstract art.
