Canadian painter David Sorensen (1937 - 2011) leaves rich arts legacy

David Storensen with one of his works.

David Gary Sorensen (1937 – 2011), an icon of contemporary Canadian art, who died age 74 on 17 February, kick-started his career as painter, sculptor and art professor through a gap year (1959)  art traveling in Europe. 

David Gary Sorensen

“His spirit, so full of light and color, lives on through his art work in our memories,” his official obituary notice read.

In his European travels he discovered David Rothko and other contemporary abstract painters.

Traveling in foreign cultures with their varying light and color conditions entranced Sorensen, so much so that he forged a special artistic and personal relationship with Mexico.

Of his 80 solo exhibitions, the first and last, a total of 13, he staged in Mexico. Sorensen once said he particularly loved the light in Mexico.

Other foreign venues for his solo exhibitions: London, Boston, Tokyo, Manila and Paris.

From the 1983 catalogue of his show, “The Corner Series of David Sorensen,” he adopts this statement about his work:

David Sorensen in front of one his abstracts.

“Much of the moving effect of Sorensen’s colors is due to the artist’s feeling of dosage. Call it shape, call it structure, call it composition, in the end it all comes down to proportion.”

Sorensen was graduated from the Vancouver School of Art in 1964  (now the Emily Carr University of Art and Design) and taught drawing and sculpture at Bishop’s University, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, School of Art, Montreal, from 1965 – 2000.

Oil on canvas, David Sorensen

Oil on canvas, David Sorensen

He is survived by wife Bella, daughter Verona, sons Miguel and Marcos, grandson Nico, brother Kieth, many cousins, nieces and nephews and their children, his official obit said.

Rock on and practice peace and love.

Stefan, the ArtTraveler(TM).

Take a 1:26 second video journey into the bowls of Southwark Underground station, London (near Tate Modern) to see a talented soprano sax performance artist score. 

Scope out a walking holiday in our Andalusian mountains or a week-long sculpture or mosaics workshop you'll never forget. See: www.spanjeanders.nl and www.competafinearts.com. 

You can reach me at stefanvandrake@gmail.com or by phone (34) 951 067 703, or from the UK at BT landline rates, 0844 774 8349.