Wayne Ensrud
Mixed media collage (acrylic, paper and fiber paper on canvas)
40 x 30 inches
2016
$8,000
Mixed media collage (acrylic, paper and fiber paper on canvas)
40 x 30 inches
2016
$8,000
Mixed media collage (acrylic, fabric, and paper on canvas)
48 x 40 inches
2006
$10,000
Mixed media collage (acrylic, fabric, and paper on canvas)
48 x 40 inches
2006
$10,000
Mixed media collage (acrylic, crayon, fiber paper, fabric on canvas)
36 x 48 inches
2008
$8,000
Mixed media collage (acrylic, crayon, fiber paper, fabric on canvas)
36 x 48 inches
2008
$8,000
Mixed media collage (acrylic, fiber paper, fabric on canvas)
30 x 36 inches
2012
$8,000
Mixed media collage (acrylic, fiber paper, fabric on canvas)
30 x 36 inches
2012
$8,000
Mixed media collage (acrylic and paper on canvas)
18 x 24 inches
2009
$3,000
Mixed media collage (acrylic and paper on canvas)
18 x 24 inches
2010
$3,000
Mixed media collage (acrylic and paper on canvas)
18 x 24 inches
2010
$3,000
Mixed media collage (acrylic and paper on canvas)
18 x 24 inches
2010
$3,000
Bio Synopsis
Starting in 1952 at the Minneapolis School of Art, Oscar Kokoschka inspired Wayne Ensrud to dig deeper than other young contemporary artists, most of whom had been misled into thinking that a focus of massive energy and emotion was enough to become a great painter. Instead, his epiphany was that painting is a metaphysical act, charged by the spirit. From 1963-on Ensrud visited Kokoschka in Austria every year, and the master came to call him his only true protégé. Ensrud has written eloquently about his philosophy and his art, lulling one into feeling they are speaking directly with Kokoschka himself: “There is a rhythmical arrangement to the dance,” he says. “It’s not that I’m so interested in space itself. Rather, I’m interested in pulsation. That’s what keeps me painting. Otherwise, the painting would become just another variation of what others have already done.” Ensrud moved to New York in 1961 but never felt compelled to knock on gallery doors, instead remaining steadfastly independent — which is why it is such a pleasure to reveal his collage paintings in this exhibition.
Artist’s Statement
Color is Life. Through my paintings — including these collage paintings — I want to awaken viewers to the healing power of colors. Science has proven that colors convey wavelengths of vibrations which affect the energies of the human body. Colors are not just a pleasure to the eye but also rejuvenate the soul. Harmonized colors in works of art have a therapeutic effect by radiating feelings of joy in order to calm anxiety. During these challenging pandemic times, art helps to capture the past and relive positive experiences. By conveying compassion and jubilation through my art, viewers experience joy. Art has the responsibility to envision and embrace the world in a spirit of love.
By unifying several elements into a collage painting, I create integrated cohesive compositions that overflow with joy and exuberance. My collage paintings are a constant movement of controlled energy. They radiate a buoyant vigor that expresses my wonder, fear, rage, and joy. I do not desire to re-present nature. I attempt to create painted music on a canvas: a harmony of color, form, and rhythm. Paintings are color fields alive with pulsating dynamic energy. They bridge the outer world of things and the inner world of emotions. I respond to both the inner and outer aspects as sources of inspiration.
I explore gestural abstract non-objective painting because it frees me from the burden of objects. By combining abstraction as a representation of the unknown with realistic elements of familiar objects, I create canvases of fresh visions frozen in time. My paintings are new fusions of colors, forms, and textures. Each color has its own vibration of energy and a healing power that affects our emotions and health.
– Peter Hastings Falk
Read the full backstory about Ensrud here.