The exhibition reveals how constraint became the catalyst for a radical new artistic form.
Art Born From an Unexpected Constraint
Pace Gallery in New York presents STITCHED, a landmark exhibition of works by Sam Gilliam created during his 1993 residency in Ireland. The series emerged from an unexpected challenge when the artist was unable to transport his petroleum based paints overseas due to shipping restrictions.
Rather than pause his process, Gilliam adapted. He prepared large stained canvases in his Washington DC studio, then folded and shipped them abroad as raw material, setting the stage for a completely new approach to making.
From Canvas to Three Dimensional Form
Once in Ireland, Gilliam collaborated with a local seamstress to cut and sew the painted canvases into sculptural compositions. This shift transformed his work from flat surfaces into dimensional objects that exist between painting and sculpture.
The resulting pieces feature layered fabrics, bold color interactions and complex geometries that feel both structured and fluid. The act of stitching becomes central to the work, turning process into form.
A Landmark Presentation at Pace Gallery
The exhibition includes both wall based stitched works and volumetric hanging sculptures, some of which are being shown in the United States for the first time. These balloon like forms expand Gilliam’s practice even further, introducing a sense of movement and spatial presence.
Through STITCHED, Gilliam demonstrates how creative limitations can open new possibilities. What began as a logistical obstacle ultimately led to a body of work that redefines the boundaries between painting, sculpture and material experimentation.
