Karen Gunderson (b.1943) is a painter known for her dark landscapes, which feature illusions of light reflecting off of black surfaces. Her paintings rely solely on texture to create contrast and depth, creating movement that follows the contours of her brushstrokes.

Born in Wisconsin, Karen Gunderson attended Wisconsin State University and University of Iowa, where she received both a Master of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts Degree in painting and intermedia. She has received many awards, including a Lorenzo Magnifico Prize in Painting at the 2001 Florence Biennale, Italy. Her current exhibitions are in New York.