Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is treated as still under copyright. Dan Colen was born in 1979 and has no recorded death date; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.
In context
On A Tear — Dan Colen
The original measures 71 × 56 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span, counting 0 from birth.
every dated painting, decade by decade
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/dan-colen-on-a-tear-AQTEW6-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Rosy Brown #d1a379
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 15 works by this artist, of which 9 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Leonia, United States of America
Dan Colen, born in Leonia, New Jersey, is an American sculptor and artist whose work defies easy categorization, consistently pushing boundaries between painting, sculpture, and installation art. Emerging from the vibrant artistic landscape of Brooklyn, NY, Colen’s oeuvre explores unsettling juxtapositions of familiar imagery—pop culture references interwoven with organic forms—creating pieces that resonate with a profound sense of unease and fascination. His distinctive style blends abstraction with meticulous detail, resulting in artworks that grapple with themes of memory, identity, and the subconscious.
Early Influences: Colen’s artistic journey began amidst the burgeoning experimental art scene of Brooklyn. He honed his skills at Yale University School of Art, where he studied under Matthew Barney and Chuck Close, absorbing influences from both conceptual sculpture and photorealistic painting. These formative experiences instilled in him a fascination with layering textures and manipulating perception.
The Rise of Surreal Sculpture: Colen’s breakthrough came with his sculptural explorations—particularly his “Untitled” series—characterized by stacked blocks of colored pigment that resemble geological formations. This approach reflects his interest in materiality and the interplay between natural and artificial elements, mirroring Barney's ambitious cinematic installations.
Exploring Pop Culture & Memory: Colen’s artistic vision consistently interrogates cultural narratives and personal recollections. Pieces like “The Son of a White Man” confront uncomfortable truths about history and privilege through bold color palettes and expressive brushstrokes. He utilizes imagery drawn from advertising, film, and mythology to provoke contemplation on societal anxieties.
Notable Achievements: Colen’s installations have garnered critical acclaim for their immersive qualities and conceptual depth. His collaborations with artists like Petra Börgers and Matthew Barney underscore his commitment to collaborative artistic endeavors. Furthermore, he has exhibited extensively in museums and galleries worldwide, cementing his position as a leading voice in contemporary sculpture.
Legacy & Significance: Dan Colen’s work stands apart for its refusal to adhere to conventional aesthetic standards. He champions an unsettling beauty—a deliberate provocation that compels viewers to confront uncomfortable realities. His exploration of memory and subconsciousness aligns with broader trends in art history, demonstrating a continuing dialogue between abstraction and representation.
Colen’s artistic style is defined by several distinctive techniques: layered pigment application—creating textured surfaces that mimic geological strata; meticulous color blending—achieving subtle tonal variations that heighten visual impact; and the incorporation of collage elements—juxtaposing disparate images to generate unexpected associations. His approach prioritizes materiality, mirroring the sculptural qualities of his works while simultaneously engaging with painting’s expressive potential.
originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/dan-colen-on-a-tear-AQTEW6-en/
Look closely
On A Tear — Dan Colen
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
"On A Tear" by Dan Colen is still protected by copyright. This status governs how the image of the work may be reproduced.
The recorded dimensions of "On A Tear" by Dan Colen are 71 x 56 cm. Reproductions can be ordered in other sizes while keeping the same proportions.
"On A Tear" by Dan Colen is recorded as brilliant, with a bright balance luminance.