Christian Rosa was born in 1982 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rosa studied under Daniel Richter at the Akademie der Bildenden Kunste in Vienna, where he graduated in 2012. The artist lives in Vienna but spends the majority of his time in Los Angeles painting and organising exhibitions, film screenings and publications.

In 2014, Rosa participated in Art Basel Hong Kong, at Art Los Angeles Contemporary and at the Armory Show with Ibid, with whom he featured his first solo show. 2013 was also a pivotal year for the artist: with highlights ranging from his participation in ReMap4 in Athens to his presentation at Freize. He has also exhibited at the Venice and Vienna Biennale as well as at Greene Naftali in New York, at Brand New Gallery in Milan and with White Cube. The artist was included in the 2014 ‘Artists to Watch’ exhibition and the M building in Miami earlier this year.

Employing various mediums including oil paint, spray paint and pencil, Rosa combines colour, line and form to create impulsive, captivating works. His abstract images present the results of chance and progression in an energetic, animated reflection of the creative process. Subtle planes, primary colours and gestural brushstrokes allude to various notions yet find beauty in mystery and enigma. The works encourage the viewer to question their own perception and to interact with the canvas in a similar manner to the interrelating elements within the composition. In their improvisational, almost fleeting quality, the paintings remain fresh and unassuming. By decreasing density of composition, reducing colour palette and lightening line depiction, Rosa presents a cohesive, appealing almost hypnotising work in its uniquely commandeering simplicity.