William Christenberry

(American, 1936–2016)

William Christenberry was an American artist, recognized for his haunting color photographs of landscapes, signs, and abandoned structures in rural Alabama. Chistenberry’s small photographs made with a Kodak Brownie camera initially served as color references for his expressionist paintings, but took on a primary role in his creative output as the artist discovered the work of photographers like Walker Evans, and later William Eggleston. Born on November 5, 1936 in Tuscaloosa, AL, Christenberry studied painting at the University of Alabama where he received both his BFA and MA. The artist continued making paintings and sculptures throughout his life and taught painting and drawing at the Corcoran School of Arts in Washington D.C. for many decades. On his relationship to the rural South, he has said, “My stance is very subjective…, the place is so much a part of me. I can’t escape it and have no desire to escape it. I continue to come to grips with it… It’s a love affair—a lifetime of involvement with a place.” Christenberry died on November 28, 2016 in Washington, D.C. His works are in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., and the Kemper Museum in Kansas City.

William Christenberry Artworks

William Christenberry (330 results)
Ghost Tree, 2004

William Christenberry

Ghost Tree, 2004

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Untitled, 2009, Dec., 2009

William Christenberry

Untitled, 2009, Dec., 2009

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Untitled, 2010

William Christenberry

Untitled, 2010

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Night Spot, Marion, Alabama, 1972, 1972

William Christenberry

Night Spot, Marion, Alabama, 1972, 1972

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Night Spot, 1983–1984

William Christenberry

Night Spot, 1983–1984

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Southern Monument XXII, 1989

William Christenberry

Southern Monument XXII, 1989

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Roadside Tableaux, 1978-1983, 1978–1983

William Christenberry

Roadside Tableaux, 1978-1983, 1978–1983

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Untitled (Tops Snuff), 2012

William Christenberry

Untitled (Tops Snuff), 2012

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Untitled (Tops Snuff), 2012

William Christenberry

Untitled (Tops Snuff), 2012

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Untitled (Tops Snuff), 2012

William Christenberry

Untitled (Tops Snuff), 2012

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Untitled , 1977

William Christenberry

Untitled , 1977

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Untitled (memory form), 1999

William Christenberry

Untitled (memory form), 1999

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

House and Car, near Akron, Alabama, 1981

William Christenberry

House and Car, near Akron, Alabama, 1981

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Church, Sprott, Alabama, 1981

William Christenberry

Church, Sprott, Alabama, 1981

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

White Form (House with Bars), 2006

William Christenberry

White Form (House with Bars), 2006

HEMPHILL

Price on Request

Found Nest with Prickly Tree Branch, 2007

William Christenberry

Found Nest with Prickly Tree Branch, 2007

HEMPHILL

Price on Request