Ille Arts presents new work by New York and East Hampton painter Don Christensen

Abstract painting, at least in its modernist, postmodernist Western European and American manifestations, has been around for roughly a century now. Given what we continue to see around us, including Don Christensen’s distinctive brand of high energy abstractions, it is not going away anytime soon as artists like him, dedicated to the medium, continue to be inspired by its apparently endless ability to renew itself.
- Lilly Wei

Amagansett, New York – May 1, 2015. ILLE Arts is pleased to announce Don Christensen’s second solo exhibition with the gallery. The show will comprise smaller works than Christensen generally presents us with. There are also intriguing hints at imagery in some of the panels. Artist and ArtCritical writer, Joan Waltemath observed, “The sense of play in Christensen’s work is contagious, it gives rise to the notion that it is really perfectly okay to let yourself run wild and not worry about the outcome. Christensen makes it seem like everyone, inherently, has the ability to do so, though the experienced eye knows that the “Look Ma, no hands!” effect is, in fact, hard won.”

Fellow painter Art critic and Chris French also writes, "Christensen has a focused approach to color…his work creates a sense of resonating, atmospheric space from simple planar shapes of closely calibrated color families.”

There is a palpable rhythm to Christensen’s work. His paintings are vibrant and musical, reflecting the artist’s other life-long passion for music. After painting in New York for more than twenty years, Christensen moved his studio practice to Springs, where these works were completed. He studied art at the Kansas City Art Institute. Christensen is the recipient of many awards including the New York Foundation for the Arts painting fellowship award and the National Endowment for the Arts grant for painting. His work is collected extensively in the US and Europe.

» Bio, Don Christensen
» List of Works, Don Christensen
» Press Release, Don Christensen

Don Christensen
People, Places and Things

June 13 - June 27, 2015

Cutie Cab, 2015
Acrylic on wood panel, artist framed 15 X 23 inches

Pack 'o' Camels, 2015
Acrylic on wood panel, artist framed 13 X 23 inches

Emily Goes to Japan, 2015
Acrylic on wood panel, artist framed 14 X 19 inches

She Was So Pretty I Didn't See the Red Flags, 2015
Acrylic on wood panel, artist framed 18 X 24 inches

Don Christensen People, Places and Things

Don Christensen
People, Places and Things