“Horses Upside Down” by Sam Gilliam, created in 1998, is an abstract expressionist artwork that falls within the abstract genre. The piece epitomizes the dynamic and expressive qualities characteristic of the Abstract Expressionism movement.
The artwork showcases a vibrant amalgamation of colors and forms that oscillate between chaotic and harmonious. Swathes of blue, red, and yellow dominate the canvas, intersected by spontaneous brushstrokes and smeared patches of paint that create a sense of movement and depth. The composition is teeming with energy, as swirls and arcs of color converge and diverge, suggesting motion and fluidity. The interplay of light and dark areas enhances the dimensionality, while the absence of a focal point invites the viewer to explore the entirety of the piece. The layering and blending techniques employed result in a textured surface that adds to the visual complexity. As with many of Gilliam’s works, the abstraction elicits emotive responses, leaving the interpretation open to individual perception.
