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David Sorensen More Art

Canadian, 1937-2011

David Sorensen sought to “give voice to the inner reality.” In the paintings from his last years, Sorensen offers solutions to the nature of abstraction — wresting nature and the horizon from pure form and brilliant colour.

Born in Vancouver in 1937, Sorensen studied at UBC and the Vancouver School of Art under Arthur Erickson, Bill Reid and Jack Shadbolt. Shadbolt, who in turn had studied Hans Hoffman, invited American art critic Clement Greenberg to the school to discuss abstraction, including the work of Rothko, Pollock and Kline. These influences helped shape Sorensen’s painterly approach to non-figurative art. In 1964, the artist moved to Montreal, where he held teaching positions at the Montreal Museum School of Art, the Saidye Bronfman Centre and later, Bishop’s University. Over his long career, Sorensen exhibited in Switzerland, France, Italy, Japan, China, the U.S. and across Canada.

In 2005, the Musée du Bas Saint-Laurent in Riviere-du-Loup, QC curated a 45-year retrospective of the artist’s work. In 1996, Sorensen was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. His work is held in private, corporate and public collections, including the Musée d’art contemporain de Montreal, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Hamilton and more.

(Biography provided by OENO Gallery)

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Artist: David Sorensen
Havana No 6, Red - bold, bright, colorful, abstract, modernist, oil on canvas
Havana No 6, Red - bold, bright, colorful, abstract, modernist, oil on canvas

Havana No 6, Red - bold, bright, colorful, abstract, modernist, oil on canvas

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Located in Bloomfield, ON

In this colourful abstract painting by David Sorensen, bright red draws the viewer’s eye. The Canadian artist completed a series of oils after visiting Havana, Cuba in 1999. The Havana series was created using a spatula and paintbrush. The result is highly textured pieces rendered in vivid colours—graphic shapes of lime green, orange, indigo and brown. A grid-like pattern of thick vertical and horizontal lines adds visual drama and contrast. “To me, there is still this celebration worth the paint. And it’s about an open door that the artist used to call muse.” David Sorensen Born in Vancouver Sorensen (1937-2011) studied at UBC and the Vancouver School of Art. His teachers were renowned—Arthur...

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1990s Contemporary David Sorensen More Art

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Havana No 4, Yellow - bold, bright, colorful, abstract, modernist, oil on canvas
Havana No 4, Yellow - bold, bright, colorful, abstract, modernist, oil on canvas

Havana No 4, Yellow - bold, bright, colorful, abstract, modernist, oil on canvas

By David Sorensen

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A vibrant culture is captured in colour and dynamic form in this lively abstract painting by David Sorensen. After visiting Cuba in 1999, the Canadian artist created a series of paintings. The light, the bright colours and the rich atmosphere of life in Havana inspired Sorensen’s colour palette—a brilliant square of yellow in the center, surrounded by graphic shapes in red, orange, lime green, blue and black. Lines of blue and black create a grid-like pattern that runs both horizontally and vertically across the canvas. “Through the medium of his art, a bridge is built between inner sensation and outer world experience, illusion and reality, what we cannot see and what we see, life and afterlife.” John K. Grande, Montreal poet and writer Born in Vancouver Sorensen (1937-2011) studied at UBC and the Vancouver School of Art. His teachers were renowned—Arthur Erikson...

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Havana No 5, Blue - bold, bright, colorful, abstract, modernist, oil on canvas
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When David Sorensen visited Havana, Cuba in 1999 he was captivated by the rich textural atmosphere of the city. Using a spatula and paintbrush he created a series of abstract paintings in bright colours and graphic form. No 5 features a sky-blue square in the center, laid over a field of similar shapes in various sizes. Thick lines that run both vertically and horizontally across the canvas add drama. The colour palette—orange, yellow, red, and indigo is both joyful and intense. “Through the medium of his art, a bridge is built between inner sensation and outer world experience, illusion and reality, what we cannot see and what we see, life and afterlife.” John K. Grande, Montreal poet and writer Born in Vancouver Sorensen (1937-2011) studied at UBC and the Vancouver School of Art. His teachers were renowned—Arthur Erikson...

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Triptych - bold, bright, colorful, abstract, modernist, tryptic oil on canvas
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Painterly bands of bright lemon, aqua, white and verdant green point to beach, sand and sky in this modernist triptych by David Sorensen. Through his painterly modern compositions, celebrated Canadian painter David Sorensen (1937-2011) sought to “give voice to the inner reality.” In the paintings from his last years, Sorensen offers solutions to the nature of abstraction – wresting nature and the horizon from pure form and brilliant colour. Born in Vancouver in 1937, Sorensen studied at UBC and the Vancouver School of Art under Arthur Erickson...

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David Sorensen more art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic David Sorensen more art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of more art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by David Sorensen in canvas, fabric, oil paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1990s and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large David Sorensen more art, so small editions measuring 40 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Alexis Portilla, George Simmons, and Ray Smith. David Sorensen more art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $17,000 and tops out at $34,000, while the average work can sell for $20,000.