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for Norfolk Keels
Norfolk Keels
Artist
Sam Gilliam
(American, 1933 - 2022)
Date1998
MediumAcrylic on canvas
Dimensions360 x 480 in. (914.4 x 1219.2 cm)
Other (Section A): 312 × 164 in. (792.5 × 416.6 cm)
Other (Section B): 301 × 115 in. (764.5 × 292.1 cm)
Other (Section C): 463 × 101 in. (1176 × 256.5 cm)
Other (Section D): 322 × 164 in. (817.9 × 416.6 cm)
Other (Section E): 336 × 82 in. (853.4 × 208.3 cm)
Other (Section F): 412 × 98 in. (1046.5 × 248.9 cm)
Other (Section A): 312 × 164 in. (792.5 × 416.6 cm)
Other (Section B): 301 × 115 in. (764.5 × 292.1 cm)
Other (Section C): 463 × 101 in. (1176 × 256.5 cm)
Other (Section D): 322 × 164 in. (817.9 × 416.6 cm)
Other (Section E): 336 × 82 in. (853.4 × 208.3 cm)
Other (Section F): 412 × 98 in. (1046.5 × 248.9 cm)
ClassificationsContemporary art
Credit LineMuseum purchase with funds provided by Mr. and Mrs. Arnold B. McKinnon, Mrs. and Mrs. Harry T. Lester, Bridget and Al Ritter, Leah and Richard Waitzer, Helen Gifford, and Daisy Dickson
Object number98.27
Terms
- Non-objective
- Colors
- Abstract
- African-American Artist
- Multi
- Washington Color Painters
- Washington, D.C.
- Norfolk, VA
Collections
On View
On viewLabel TextSam Gilliam American, 1933-2022 Norfolk Keels, 1998 Acrylic on cotton duck and marine hardware Museum Purchase and Gift of Oriana and Arnold McKinnon, Calvert and Harry Lester, Bridget and Al Ritter, Leah and Richard Waitzer, Helen Gifford, and Daisy Dickson 98.27 ~ Norfolk Keels is not a traditional museum object like a painting or sculpture. It is a site-specific installation, a work of art designed by an artist in response to a unique space. When installed it becomes a part of that space, changing it and at the same time helping us understand a familiar spot in new and exciting ways. Sam Gilliam designed Norfolk Keels especially for Huber Court. Working with his assistants, he hung and draped and adjusted these great swaths of brilliantly colored fabric until he had brought them into a kind of dynamic equilibrium, until the lengths of fabric hung in harmony with themselves and with the surrounding architecture. Gilliam thought of his works as a visual parallel to jazz music. Much as a jazz musician steps beyond the written notes on his page so Gilliam created works that are "Structured Improvisations," a careful balance of freedom and structure, chaos and control.
