Artist: Denny Dent
Title: Soccer Player
Year: 1993
Medium: Original Oil Painting on Paper
Size: 69.5" x 53"
Inscription: Signed and dated "Dent 93"
Authenticity: Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
Denny Dent's Soccer Player (1993) is a powerful and energetic portrayal of an athlete in motion, embodying the dynamic spirit and intensity that define Dent's signature style. Executed in bold, expressive strokes of oil on paper, the composition captures a moment of pure action—the player, clad in a white jersey and teal shorts, is poised to strike the ball, his muscular form radiating tension and movement.
Set against a stark black background, the figure is framed by a striking bright green border, intensifying the sense of motion and urgency. His face, rendered with Dent's characteristic raw intensity, conveys deep concentration and determination. With a commanding physique, the player's presence dominates the composition, exuding both power and grace.
As one of the most innovative performance painters of his era, Dent transformed the act of painting into a theatrical experience, harnessing music and motion to create works that pulse with life. Soccer Player is a testament to this approach, capturing not only the likeness of an athlete but the sheer force and energy of the game itself.
Signed and dated by the artist, this unframed original work stands as a striking example of Dent's ability to fuse speed, emotion, and artistry into a single, unforgettable image. The photo showing the frame is a mockup of a frame and what it would look like framed. If you would like the piece framed we can work with our local framer at our discounted price to pick out the perfect frame for your home.
About Denny Dent
Denny Dent (1948–2004) was an American speed painter known for his electrifying, high-energy performances that blurred the line between art and entertainment. With a style he called "Two-Fisted Art Attack," Dent captivated audiences by creating large-scale portraits of cultural icons—often musicians—using both hands, multiple brushes, and even his entire body in a frenzied display of artistic passion. His unique approach turned painting into a performance, making him one of the most recognizable and influential figures in live art.
Early Life & Artistic Influences
Born in Oakland, California, in 1948, Denny Dent was introduced to art at an early age by his mother, who encouraged his creativity. He showed artistic promise from childhood but did not pursue a traditional fine arts education. Instead, Dent was drawn to the raw, unfiltered world of self-expression, inspired by the music and rebellious energy of the 1960s counterculture.
For much of his early life, Dent worked various odd jobs while honing his craft in private. His breakthrough moment came in 1981, when he painted a spontaneous portrait of John Lennon at a public event shortly after the musician's assassination. The live audience was mesmerized by Dent's ability to capture Lennon's likeness with such speed, intensity, and emotion. That moment set the stage for what would become his signature style: creating dynamic portraits of influential figures in real time, often in under ten minutes.
The Rise of a Performance Art Phenomenon
Dent's painting process was anything but conventional. Set to the pulsating rhythms of classic rock, he would attack the canvas with explosive energy, wielding multiple brushes at once, switching hands mid-stroke, and sometimes even using his elbows or fingers to create bold, expressive portraits. His subjects were often rock and roll legends—Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Mick Jagger, and Elvis Presley—figures who embodied the same untamed spirit that Dent brought to his work.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Dent's reputation as a "rock & roll painter" skyrocketed. He performed at major music festivals, corporate events, and even at the 1993 Presidential Inauguration of Bill Clinton, where he painted a portrait of the newly elected president live on stage. His ability to transform a blank canvas into an instantly recognizable masterpiece in minutes made him a sought-after performer, and he became a fixture at high-profile events.
Legacy & Impact
Beyond the spectacle, Dent was a deeply passionate artist who believed in the power of spontaneous creativity. He rejected the idea of painting as a slow, calculated process, instead treating it as an emotional outpouring—an extension of the music, energy, and life force that inspired him.
Dent's legacy endures not only through his vibrant portraits but also through the genre of live performance painting, which he helped popularize. His influence can be seen in modern speed painters who fuse entertainment and visual art in dynamic, public settings.
Denny Dent passed away in 2004 at the age of 55, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire. His paintings remain celebrated for their raw intensity and larger-than-life presence, much like the icons he portrayed. To this day, Dent is remembered as the ultimate "rock star of the art world," a visionary who turned painting into a high-octane experience like no other.