Bestride the World Like a Colossus

Anna Jensen's paintings are a synthesis of classical and abstract figuration. Her body of work is inspired by both trauma and exaltation. They are the fruit of years of rigorous research conducted in her home of the American South.

With immense drive and rare sensitivity, Anna demonstrates the power of an individual to prevail through challenges via creative transfiguration. She is mostly self-taught, yet has exhibited internationally to great acclaim over the past nearly twenty years.

“My paintings are psychological landscapes and emotionally complex narratives. I combine references to art history, pop culture, natural science and personal chronicles to represent the conflicts of life. The titles are important elements. Like me the stories are at once funny and sad.”

Anna Jensen, known for her emotionally charged, psychologically complex paintings, has spoken about how improvisation plays a central role in her art-making process. She often begins her work without a fixed plan, allowing intuition and spontaneous decisions to guide her. Jensen has described her process as "improvisational," where she lets the imagery unfold organically, reacting to the emotional undercurrents and personal memories that arise as she paints.

This improvisational approach allows her to explore vulnerability, trauma, nostalgia, and absurdity in a raw and unfiltered way. She has mentioned that working this way helps her stay connected to the subconscious, creating layered narratives that often reflect inner turmoil or unresolved experiences.

"I never really plan things out, just start. Sometimes I have a spark of a concept or feeling I want to explore, but it's mostly intuitive. It's very much like improv in that way. I'm reacting, responding to what's happening on the canvas emotionally and visually. The meaning often becomes clearer as I go, or even after l've finished."

This statement reflects how Jensen's process is deeply rooted in emotional spontaneity. Her technique aligns with a kind of visual stream of consciousness, making each painting an evolving narrative.