Gommaar Gilliams Painting Appraisal

Saffron Waking by Gommaar Gilliams

This is a large-scale contemporary mixed media artwork titled "Saffron Waking," created by the Belgian artist Gommaar Gilliams, dated 2026. The piece measures 190 x 230 cm (approximately 74.8 x 90.5 inches). The construction is complex, utilizing acrylic, oil stick, and gouache applied onto a support of painted and stitched fabrics. The composition features a blue silhouette of a chariot pulled by horses, set against a pale, textured background with splatters and organic floral motifs in red and earth tones. A prominent dark, curved line arches over the top of the central figures. The bottom edge of the work features a darker decorative band with celestial or floral-like patterns. The use of stitched fabrics adds a sculptural, tactile quality to the canvas, suggesting a tapestry-like influence. The condition appears pristine as a contemporary gallery piece, though the intentional 'unfinished' look and raw edges are part of the artist's aesthetic. The style blends mythological or historical imagery with a neo-expressionist approach, characterized by bold, fluid brushwork and a dreamlike atmosphere. The craftsmanship is evident in the sophisticated layering of pigments and the structural integrity of the integrated textile elements, typical of Gilliams' signature style which explores themes of nostalgia and collective memory.