Gommaar Gilliams

Gommaar Gilliams' art blends American Abstract Expressionism with figurative elements inspired by Middle Eastern to European symbolism in large-scale paintings and textural wall hangings.

Biography of Gommaar Gilliams

Gommaar Gilliams was born in 1982 in Lier, Belgium. The artist studied visual arts at LUCA School of Arts in Brussels. He also held his Master's in Painting from the PXL College in Hasselt, where he studied with Koen Van Den Broek.

Gilliams has showcased his talent through various solo exhibitions, such as "Only For You" at Art Borgloon, Belgium (2020); "In The Ballpark" at Gallery Sofie Van De Velde, Antwerp, Belgium (2020); "Always Been Told" at Gallery De Buck, New York (2020); and "Always Come Back" at The Cabin (La Brea Residency), Los Angeles (2019). Additionally, he has participated in notable group exhibitions like "Proposal for a collection" at Annarumma Gallery, Naples, Italy (2020); "Kronos" at Museum Santa Monica, Barcelona (2019); and "Soft?" (tactile dialogues) at MOMU Museum, Antwerp, Belgium (2019).

Gommaar Gilliams is represented by Gallery Sofie Van de Velde and The Buck Gallery. 

Gommaar Gilliams' Art Style

Gilliams known for his vibrant and colorful works, characterized by bold and painterly brushwork, playful use of texture, and materials, including collages and oil sticks on a patchwork-style canvas. Blurring the line between abstraction and representation, he weaves captivating scenarios that evoke a dreamlike, nostalgic utopia. Gilliams' paintings seem familiar yet fantastical, like half-remembered or imagined memories filled with longing. However, there's a bittersweet reverie to his art, balancing melancholy and mysticism.

Gilliams' works delve into themes of transition, duality, desire, myth, and memory, drawing on iconography from both European and Eastern storytelling, art, and cultural history. His symbols evoke a world of melancholy and desire, exploring the interplay between day and night. In his poetic and allegorical narratives, elements like rain, flora, swans, and rainbows transform into painterly motifs.

His work exudes duality, evident in both its contents and techniques. His true strength lies in his ability to seamlessly blend contrasting elements together, creating a harmonious and natural fusion.

As a painter, Gommaar Gilliams places great importance on depicting the essence of the subject itself. His art invites viewers to participate actively, fill in the gaps and complete the narrative he initiates. Rather than presenting a specific scene anchored in time or place, the artist focuses on conveying emotions. The titles often serve as textual references and hold literary associations that contribute to the overall atmosphere of the artworks.