Submersion - Dark Brown

About Submersion - Dark Brown

This contemporary abstract painting is by the iconic David Sorensen.

Hailed as one of Canada’s finest contemporary artists, David Sorensen pursued his singular vision for several decades. Early in his career he was influenced by some of the world’s best abstract expressionists—Picasso, deKooning, Rothko, and Riopelle. As a young man, he discovered colour field paintings. His own work explored light, colour, and landscape in abstract form.
This composition divides the colour field into two distinct areas—a band of black tops the canvas that bleeds into a rich chocolate brown. Visible layers of bright red appear underneath with flashes of orange and green. The lower half of the canvas is rendered in fluid, sweeping brushstrokes of bright white—a bold contrast to the earth tones. A classic grid pattern can be seen beneath the layers.

“I think the abstract allows you to simplify and be more direct and reach on a deeper level if it works.” David Sorensen

“He is able to show us the essence of the light…so we don’t look at the landscape, we look at the pure light as it is moving and transforming before our eyes on the canvas.” Laurier Lacroix, Quebec Professor of Art History

David Sorensen was born in Vancouver and (1937-2011) studied at UBC and the Vancouver School of Art. His teachers were renowned—Arthur Erikson, Bill Reid and Jack Shadbolt. After moving to Montreal, he taught art at the Montreal School of Art, the Saidye Bronfman Centre and Bishop’s University for almost 20 years. Sorensen, a member of the RCA exhibited all over the world. His work is held in numerous private, corporate and public collections.