Don Christensen

January 12–February 11, 2002
Opening Sat. January 12, 6:00pm–9:00pm

Sideshow Gallery is pleased to announce its first solo exhibition of Don Christensen’s paintings on wood, opening January 12th, 2002 and continuing through February 10th.

These linear patterned mosaics, composed of both found and specifically cut blocks of wood, offer the symmetry of Islamic architecture while others suggest polyrhythmic music. Far from any chance composition, each block is either spray painted or brushed in soft pastels, vivid primaries, gradated color, or blemished veneer and asserts its own individuality. The paintings are executed to humane scale, yet their lack of a centered or fixed focal point instills a sense of disjunctive movement. Christensen’s most recent work is an extension, if not an expansion on his earlier wood panel "cruciform" paintings.

Christensen studied art at the University of Nebraska (1967-1970) and earned a full scholarship from the Kansas City Art Institute (1968-1970). Upon arriving in New York he worked as a studio assistant to both Ken Noland and Jules Olitski. In 1990 after several years as a performing and recording musician, he devoted his career full-time to painting .He has since received fellowships from National Foundation for the Arts as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.