DON CHRISTENSEN
March 4 – April 18
Artist’s Opening Reception
March 4, 6-8 pm

Don Christensen’s “rhythmatized” compositions engage colorful slats of wood in a slow dance, where complex abstract arrangements and the tangibility of each painted surface converge. Christensen paints, cuts, and assembles segments of new and reclaimed wood like a puzzle or quilt, the geometric integrity of the work is enriched by imperfections found in the materials – “the off notes.” Informed by the artist’s strong regard for folk art (e.g. - African weaving, the American quilt, and the works of outsider artist Emery Blagdon for which Christensen has been conservator and curator since 1986) and his connection to the formal abstract, Christensen’s paintings form vibrant visual melodies.

Christensen was a professional musician for 15 years when he returned to painting in 1990. Since that time he has received a New York Foundation for the Arts painting fellowship award, a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship grant for painting, and had solo exhibitions at Douglas Drake Gallery and Sideshow Gallery. As a mid-career artist, Christensen approaches his work with what John Miller Chernoff in his book, African Rhythm and Sensibility , calls “cool”. He tempers the youthful idea of “heated playing from the heart” with an attenuation to his working process, and an objective appraisal of this act.

The Bruno Marina Gallery is esteemed to present, from Christensen’s recent body of work, large and smaller scale paintings, as well as a selection of three-dimensional works.

If you have questions or need additional materials, please contact Rico Espinet – ph.718.254.0808 or via e-mail rico@brunomarinagallery.com.