Painter, sculptor, printmaker, and illustrator Arne Haugen Sorensen was born in Copenhagen in 1932. Sorensen was primarily self-taught, taking courses on his own when he moved to Paris in 1950. This included an introduction to lithography and etching at Atelier 17 under Stanley William Hayter, and in the studio of Johnny Friedlander. He participated in his first exhibtion in 1953 at the Kunsterners Efterarsudstilling Autumn Exhibition, and thereafter participated frequently in the salons in Paris, Charlottenborg, and Gronnigen. 

Beginning in 1962 Sorensen started focusing on painting, further developing his signature style of Abstract works employing large, vivid color fields. He worked with Asger Jorn, Echaurren Matta, and Antonio Saura, who he met at the Clot de George workshop held by Peter Bramsen. When he returned to Denmark in the 1970s he also began exploring sculpture and stained glass work with more frequency, and he soon became known for his decorative works in churches. In 1975 he received the Eckerberg Medal; 1984, he received the Thorvaldsen Medal and was decorated a Knight of the Order of Danneborg. 

Sorensen currently resides in Spain, where he continues to work.