David Klamen

David Klamen (American, b. 1961) is a contemporary painter whose artistic practice intertwines with his interests in literature and philosophy, revolving around the questions, “How do we know what we know?” and “How do we come to know what we know?” Klamen works in both figurative and abstract styles, often merging the two by layering geometric lines or patterns over his finely crafted landscapes. He likens the abstract components to a fourth dimension within this context. His art is meditative and serene, engaging viewers with profound tonal values and meticulous control, inviting them to examine the complexities of each piece multiple times.

Klamen obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana in 1983 and his Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1985. He is currently a Professor of Fine Arts at Indiana University Northwest and resides in Chicago.

Klamen's works are included in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago; The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco; The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea; and the Chazen Museum of Art, Madison, Wisconsin.