Dan Christensen (1942-2007) is recognized as a leader in American experimental abstraction.

After completing his BFA at the Kansas City Art Institute in 1964, he moved to New York City, where his career immediately blossomed. In the late 1960’s Christensen was championed by renowned critics such as Clement Greenberg, as one of the most original abstract painters, which resulted in his works being placed in many major museum collections, such as the Guggenheim, the Whitney Museum, the MET, the MoMA, and the Albright-Knox.

Today, Christensen is widely recognized as a brave experimentalist and leading figure in the abstraction and gestural painting movements of the 20th century.

An early adopter, Christensen used spray guns, window-washing squeegees, rakes, blasters and house painting rollers in pursuit of applying paint in new and innovative ways. Using these unusual techniques he achieved incredible layered results that produced layered colors that were intricate, full of shimmer and glow.

"Spark" is a poignant example from Christensen’s mid-to-late-career. The paint lines are thick, saturated and frantic. They come together with movement, forming a burst of color that sweeps upwards, joyfully reminiscent of a fountain.

Throughout the duration of his career, Christensen embraced the methods and concepts underlying both Abstract Expressionism and Colour Field painting. 

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Untitled ("Spark")

USA, 1983

Signed and dated by the artist 

Acrylic and mixed media on paper 

30.25"H 22.75"W (work) 

Very good condition

Provenance: the Estate of Dan Christensen