Heartbroken...#RIP #SamGilliam Mr. Gilliam (as I have called him since my childhood) taught me that “cloth is a monument.” Honoring the power of his abstract paintings, may this new ancestor’s work from the 2017 Venice Biennale* speak like an #Egungun to us all. Listen closely. His groundbreaking genius will continue to resonate. I offer deep love and condolences to the Gilliam family who I adopted decades ago. And to all who were inspired by his unyielding creativity, may you continue to hear his message. *In 1972 he was the first Black artist to exhibit in the US pavilion at the #VeniceBiennale. #groundbreaking #artist #art #ancestor #creativegenius #culturalancestor #abstractpainting #monumental #color #genius #painter #restinpower