Rune Christensen
Denmark 1980
Rune Christensen is a Danish contemporary artist, born in Horsens in 1980, where he lives and works today. A self-taught painter, Christensen originally came to art through the graffiti culture of the 1990s, an influence that can still be seen in the energy, layering and graphic qualities of his paintings.
Travel is central to Christensen’s artistic practice. Having spent years travelling around the world, he draws inspiration from encounters with different cultures, traditions, religious symbols, textiles, costumes and patterns. These experiences are transformed into densely layered and highly distinctive compositions.
His paintings are immediately recognizable for their intense colours, patterns and figurative imagery. Human figures often form the centre of the composition, while their bodies and surroundings are covered with symbols, drawings and decorative elements. The result is a visual language that combines street art, contemporary figurative painting and influences gathered from cultures around the world.
Underlying the colourful surfaces are themes of identity, memory, belonging and the encounters between people and cultures. Many works originate from photographs, memories and impressions collected during his travels, making each painting feel like a collection of experiences brought together on one canvas.
Christensen has exhibited internationally in cities including London, Berlin, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney, Beirut and New York. Recent exhibitions include Wildflowers in Berlin, Amass in London, Beneath the Canopy in Florida and Collective Memories in New York. In 2025, HAGD Contemporary presented his work at CAN Art Fair Ibiza.
Travel is central to Christensen’s artistic practice. Having spent years travelling around the world, he draws inspiration from encounters with different cultures, traditions, religious symbols, textiles, costumes and patterns. These experiences are transformed into densely layered and highly distinctive compositions.
His paintings are immediately recognizable for their intense colours, patterns and figurative imagery. Human figures often form the centre of the composition, while their bodies and surroundings are covered with symbols, drawings and decorative elements. The result is a visual language that combines street art, contemporary figurative painting and influences gathered from cultures around the world.
Underlying the colourful surfaces are themes of identity, memory, belonging and the encounters between people and cultures. Many works originate from photographs, memories and impressions collected during his travels, making each painting feel like a collection of experiences brought together on one canvas.
Christensen has exhibited internationally in cities including London, Berlin, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney, Beirut and New York. Recent exhibitions include Wildflowers in Berlin, Amass in London, Beneath the Canopy in Florida and Collective Memories in New York. In 2025, HAGD Contemporary presented his work at CAN Art Fair Ibiza.
Artworks on HAGD Collect
Public
Rune Christensen