ArtistAziza Claudia Gibson-Hunter
Unity I
Date2010
MediumMixed media
Dimensions28 × 59 in. (71.1 × 149.9 cm)
Credit LineDC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Art Bank Collection
Object numberDCCAH2011.054
ClassificationsPaintings
Locations
- DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (200 I Street SE)
DescriptionMr. Sam Gilliam is one of the great artistic treasures of Washington DC. He became aware of Gibson-Hunter’s work in 2008, when he attended a solo exhibition titled Suspicious Activities, at the Art Center of DC gallery. Over the years he took the time to meet with her sharing books, insights, and the development of his own work.
From time to time Gibson-Hunter would meet with Mr. G and Gina, a long time mentee of his, to discuss art, art history, the art scene in Washington, DC and more. Gina and Gibson-Hunter would sit with pens and sketchbooks in hand, attempting to document each word. The summer of 2010 was so special to her. The grieving due to Gibson-Hunter’s mother’s death had dwindled, her children were now young adults, and a new freedom touched her palette unleashing bold colors again. The spirit of my environment seemed to lift as she reconsidered color, form, light, even composition. The colorful language and music of black folks took on more abstract shapes. Gibson-Hunter interacted with paint in new ways, with new tools. Mr. Gilliam made several visits to her studio to critique my work. 2010 was a year my work experienced a rapid evolution, and Gibson-Hunter believes much of it was due to the rewarding intellectual exchange with Mr. Sam Gilliam. As my work continues to develop, constantly morphing in relationship to socio/political insights and experiences, there is a specific sensitivity that has been integrated into my work. That sensitivity was gained through the excavation of her practice, inspired by their conversations that summer. Gibson-Hunter pulled some of the work created in that time period together and titled it A Summer with Mr. G.
