Obsidian Rift is a small-scale abstract expressionist painting dominated by a stark black impasto form set against a crisp white background. The black paint is applied thickly, with gestural strokes that convey a sense of urgency and primal movement. The high texture of the impasto creates shadows and depth, giving the paint a sculptural presence.
The central black shape is amorphous but dynamic—almost like a geological fissure or an inkblot caught in motion. Its jagged edges and uneven texture resemble natural formations such as obsidian shards, charred driftwood, or volcanic ash dispersing in wind. There’s a tension between solidity and fragmentation, as if the form is both emerging and dissolving.
The white background is not flat; it has a subtly textured surface, which interacts with the thick black strokes. This contrast enhances the raw energy of the composition. The piece feels elemental, evoking ideas of creation, transformation, and erosion—qualities often associated with geological time or the earliest stages of life and form.
Obsidian Rift by Stephen Hansrote is an original abstract painting on artist canvas board. The artist signature and monogram are on the reverse. The artwork is mounted in a warm, copper-tone ridged detail wood frame. The frame offers an elegant contrast to the wild spontaneity of the painting itself, suggesting a reverence for the rawness within.
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ARTIST: Stephen Hansrote
TITLE: Obsidian Rift
PERIOD: 2023
HANDPAINTED: Yes
EDITION: Unique Original
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States
MEDIUM: Acrylic paint and charcoal on artist canvas board.
CONDITION: The painting is in excellent condition and ready to hang.
FRAME SIZE
HEIGHT: 18 in. (46 cm)
WIDTH: 15 in. (38 cm)
DEPTH: 1.63 in. (4 cm)
ARTWORK SIZE:
HEIGHT: 14 in. (36 cm)
WIDTH: 11 in. (28 cm)
