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Biography

Considered a key member of The Pictures Generation, Sarah Charlesworth (b. 1947, East Orange, NJ, d. 2013, Falls Village, CT) is known for her conceptually-driven and visually alluring photo-based works. Through her exacting forms, assiduous process, and subjective interventions, Charlesworth aimed to subvert and deconstruct cultural imagery. Charlesworth’s work has been the subject of one-person exhibitions at a number of institutions, including the major survey, “Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleworld,” at the New Museum, New York (2015), which traveled to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (2017); and a retrospective organized by SITE Santa Fe (1997), which traveled to the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego (1998); the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC (1998); and the Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art (1999). Her work is in important public collections including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; the Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven; and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
Sarah Charlesworth, Devil, 2002, cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame, 28 x 22 1/2 in. (72.4 x 58.4 cm) Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Devil, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame
28 x 22 1/2 in. (72.4 x 58.4 cm)
Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Tall Table, 2002 fuji crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame 57 1/2 x 31 5/8 x 1 in. (146.1 x 80.3 x 2.5 cm) Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Tall Table, 2002
fuji crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame
57 1/2 x 31 5/8 x 1 in. (146.1 x 80.3 x 2.5 cm)
Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Teapot, 2002 fuji crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame 28 x 22 1/2 in. (71.1 x 57.2 cm) Edition 5 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Teapot, 2002
fuji crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame
28 x 22 1/2 in. (71.1 x 57.2 cm)
Edition 5 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Fruit Colored Fruit, 2002 cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame 28 x 22 1/2 in. (71.1 x 57.2 cm) Edition 6 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Fruit Colored Fruit, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame
28 x 22 1/2 in. (71.1 x 57.2 cm)
Edition 6 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Pencil, 2002 cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame 41 x 31 x 1 in. (104.1 x 78.7 x 2.5 cm) Edition 7 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Pencil, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame
41 x 31 x 1 in. (104.1 x 78.7 x 2.5 cm)
Edition 7 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth, Book, 2002, Fujiflex crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame, 22 5/8 x 28 1/8 x 2/4 in. (57.5 x 71.4 x 1.9 cm), Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Book, 2002
fuji crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame
22 5/8 x 28 1/8 x 3/4 (57.5 x 71.4 x 1.9 cm) 
Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Moon, 2002 cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame 41 x 31 x 1 in. (104.1 x 78.7 x 2.5 cm) Edition 4 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Moon, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame
41 x 31 x 1 in. (104.1 x 78.7 x 2.5 cm)
Edition 4 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Fire, 2002 cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame 31 x 41 in. (78.7 x 104.1 cm) Edition 4 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Fire, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame
31 x 41 in. (78.7 x 104.1 cm)
Edition 4 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Down, Down, Down, 2002 cibachrome print with lacquered frame 52 x 42 in. (132.1 x 106.7 cm) Edition 1 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Down, Down, Down, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered frame
52 x 42 in. (132.1 x 106.7 cm)
Edition 1 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth United We Stand/A Nation Divided, 1979 (released 2003) 2 black and white prints each frame: 16 3/8 x 13 1/8 in. (41.6 x 33.3 cm) Edition 3 of 5, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
United We Stand/A Nation Divided, 1979 (released 2003)
2 black and white prints
each frame: 16 3/8 x 13 1/8 in. (41.6 x 33.3 cm)
Edition 3 of 5, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Tiger, 1985 Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame frame: 41 x 31 in. (104.1 x 78.7 cm) AP1, Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah CharlesworthTiger, 1985, Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame, frame: 41 x 31 in. (104.1 x 78.7 cm), AP1, Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Light Break, 1981 black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame 86 x 50 x 1 3/4 in. (218.4 x 127 x 4.4 cm)

Sarah Charlesworth
Light Break, 1981
black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame
86 x 50 x 1 3/4 in. (218.4 x 127 x 4.4 cm)

Sarah Charlesworth Red Scarf, 1983 Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame 42 x 32 in. (81.3 x 106.7 cm) Edition of 3, 3 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Red Scarf, 1983
Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame
42 x 32 in. (81.3 x 106.7 cm)
Edition of 3, 3 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Pipe, 2002 Fuji Crystal Archive print with lacquered wood frame 31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. (80 x 105.4 cm) frame: 34 x 44 x 1 in. (86.4 x 111.8 x 2.5 cm) Edition of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Pipe, 2002
Fuji Crystal Archive print with lacquered wood frame
31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. (80 x 105.4 cm)
frame: 34 x 44 x 1 in. (86.4 x 111.8 x 2.5 cm)
Edition of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Rider, 1983-1984 cibachrome with lacquered wood frame frame: 20 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (52.1 x 40 x 3.2 cm) Edition of 7, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Rider, 1983-1984
cibachrome with lacquered wood frame
frame: 20 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (52.1 x 40 x 3.2 cm)
Edition of 7, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, August 20, 2017 - February 4, 2018, art © The Estate of Sarah Charlesworth. photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, August 20, 2017 - February 4, 2018, art © The Estate of Sarah Charlesworth. photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

 

Sarah Charlesworth Red Veils, 1992-93 Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame 44 x 54 1/2 in. (111.8 x 138.4 cm) Edition of 6, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Red Veils, 1992-93
Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame
44 x 54 1/2 in. (111.8 x 138.4 cm)
Edition of 6, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Regarding Venus, 2012 Fuji Crystal Archive prints with lacquered frames 41 x 63 in. (104.1 x 160 cm) Edition of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Regarding Venus, 2012
Fuji Crystal Archive prints with lacquered frames
41 x 63 in. (104.1 x 160 cm)
Edition of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Doubleworld, 1995 Cibachrome print with mahogany frame 50 1/4 x 41 x 1 3/16 in. (127.6 x 104.1 x 3 cm) Edition of 6, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Doubleworld, 1995
Cibachrome print with mahogany frame
50 1/4 x 41 x 1 3/16 in. (127.6 x 104.1 x 3 cm)
Edition of 6, + 2 APs

 

Stills, 1980. Installation view, Art Institute of Chicago, 2014, © The Estate of Sarah Charlesworth.

Stills, 1980. Installation view, Art Institute of Chicago, 2014, © The Estate of Sarah Charlesworth.

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, New Museum, New York, 2015, Courtesy New Museum, New York. Photo: Maris Hutchinson.

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, New Museum, New York, 2015, Courtesy New Museum, New York. Photo: Maris Hutchinson.

 

Sarah Charlesworth Maps, 1987 cibachrome with lacquered wood frame diptych, overall: 41 x 61 1/4 x 2 in. (104.1 x 155.6 x 5.1 cm) Edition of 4, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Maps, 1987
cibachrome with lacquered wood frame
diptych, overall: 41 x 61 1/4 x 2 in. (104.1 x 155.6 x 5.1 cm)
Edition of 4, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Samurai, 1981 black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame frame: 63 7/8 x 49 7/8 x 1 5/8 in. (162.2 x 126.7 x 4.1 cm) Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Samurai, 1981
black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame
frame: 63 7/8 x 49 7/8 x 1 5/8 in. (162.2 x 126.7 x 4.1 cm)
Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, New Museum, New York, 2015, Courtesy New Museum, New York. Photo by Benoit Pailley.

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, New Museum, New York, 2015, Courtesy New Museum, New York. Photo by Benoit Pailley.

 

Sarah Charlesworth Stone Tablet, 1981 black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame frame: 65 7/8 x 49 7/8 x 1 5/8 in. (167.3 x 126.7 x 4.1 cm) Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Stone Tablet, 1981
black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame
frame: 65 7/8 x 49 7/8 x 1 5/8 in. (167.3 x 126.7 x 4.1 cm)
Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Separation, 1991 Dye-sublimation prints (2) lacquered wood frames each image: 52 x 19 in. (132.1 x 48.3 cm) each frame: 56  x 23 in. (142.2 x 58.4 cm) overall: 56 x 48 in. (142.2 x 121.9 cm) Edition of 5, + 2AP's

Sarah Charlesworth
Separation, 1991
Dye-sublimation prints (2) lacquered wood frames
each image: 52 x 19 in. (132.1 x 48.3 cm)
each frame: 56  x 23 in. (142.2 x 58.4 cm)
overall: 56 x 48 in. (142.2 x 121.9 cm)
Edition of 5, + 2AP's

Sarah Charlesworth Fashion Collage, 1983-1984 cibachrome with lacquered wood frame frame: 20 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (52.1 x 40 x 3.2 cm) Edition of 7, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Fashion Collage, 1983-1984
cibachrome with lacquered wood frame
frame: 20 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (52.1 x 40 x 3.2 cm)
Edition of 7, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth, Devil, 2002, cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame, 28 x 22 1/2 in. (72.4 x 58.4 cm) Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Devil, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame
28 x 22 1/2 in. (72.4 x 58.4 cm)
Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Tall Table, 2002 fuji crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame 57 1/2 x 31 5/8 x 1 in. (146.1 x 80.3 x 2.5 cm) Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Tall Table, 2002
fuji crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame
57 1/2 x 31 5/8 x 1 in. (146.1 x 80.3 x 2.5 cm)
Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Teapot, 2002 fuji crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame 28 x 22 1/2 in. (71.1 x 57.2 cm) Edition 5 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Teapot, 2002
fuji crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame
28 x 22 1/2 in. (71.1 x 57.2 cm)
Edition 5 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Fruit Colored Fruit, 2002 cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame 28 x 22 1/2 in. (71.1 x 57.2 cm) Edition 6 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Fruit Colored Fruit, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame
28 x 22 1/2 in. (71.1 x 57.2 cm)
Edition 6 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Pencil, 2002 cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame 41 x 31 x 1 in. (104.1 x 78.7 x 2.5 cm) Edition 7 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Pencil, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame
41 x 31 x 1 in. (104.1 x 78.7 x 2.5 cm)
Edition 7 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth, Book, 2002, Fujiflex crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame, 22 5/8 x 28 1/8 x 2/4 in. (57.5 x 71.4 x 1.9 cm), Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Book, 2002
fuji crystal archive print with lacquered wood frame
22 5/8 x 28 1/8 x 3/4 (57.5 x 71.4 x 1.9 cm) 
Edition 2 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Moon, 2002 cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame 41 x 31 x 1 in. (104.1 x 78.7 x 2.5 cm) Edition 4 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Moon, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame
41 x 31 x 1 in. (104.1 x 78.7 x 2.5 cm)
Edition 4 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Fire, 2002 cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame 31 x 41 in. (78.7 x 104.1 cm) Edition 4 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Fire, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered wood frame
31 x 41 in. (78.7 x 104.1 cm)
Edition 4 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Down, Down, Down, 2002 cibachrome print with lacquered frame 52 x 42 in. (132.1 x 106.7 cm) Edition 1 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Down, Down, Down, 2002
cibachrome print with lacquered frame
52 x 42 in. (132.1 x 106.7 cm)
Edition 1 of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth United We Stand/A Nation Divided, 1979 (released 2003) 2 black and white prints each frame: 16 3/8 x 13 1/8 in. (41.6 x 33.3 cm) Edition 3 of 5, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
United We Stand/A Nation Divided, 1979 (released 2003)
2 black and white prints
each frame: 16 3/8 x 13 1/8 in. (41.6 x 33.3 cm)
Edition 3 of 5, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Tiger, 1985 Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame frame: 41 x 31 in. (104.1 x 78.7 cm) AP1, Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah CharlesworthTiger, 1985, Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame, frame: 41 x 31 in. (104.1 x 78.7 cm), AP1, Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Light Break, 1981 black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame 86 x 50 x 1 3/4 in. (218.4 x 127 x 4.4 cm)

Sarah Charlesworth
Light Break, 1981
black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame
86 x 50 x 1 3/4 in. (218.4 x 127 x 4.4 cm)

Sarah Charlesworth Red Scarf, 1983 Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame 42 x 32 in. (81.3 x 106.7 cm) Edition of 3, 3 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Red Scarf, 1983
Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame
42 x 32 in. (81.3 x 106.7 cm)
Edition of 3, 3 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Pipe, 2002 Fuji Crystal Archive print with lacquered wood frame 31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. (80 x 105.4 cm) frame: 34 x 44 x 1 in. (86.4 x 111.8 x 2.5 cm) Edition of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Pipe, 2002
Fuji Crystal Archive print with lacquered wood frame
31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. (80 x 105.4 cm)
frame: 34 x 44 x 1 in. (86.4 x 111.8 x 2.5 cm)
Edition of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Rider, 1983-1984 cibachrome with lacquered wood frame frame: 20 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (52.1 x 40 x 3.2 cm) Edition of 7, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Rider, 1983-1984
cibachrome with lacquered wood frame
frame: 20 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (52.1 x 40 x 3.2 cm)
Edition of 7, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, August 20, 2017 - February 4, 2018, art © The Estate of Sarah Charlesworth. photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, August 20, 2017 - February 4, 2018, art © The Estate of Sarah Charlesworth. photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

 

Sarah Charlesworth Red Veils, 1992-93 Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame 44 x 54 1/2 in. (111.8 x 138.4 cm) Edition of 6, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Red Veils, 1992-93
Cibachrome with lacquered wood frame
44 x 54 1/2 in. (111.8 x 138.4 cm)
Edition of 6, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Regarding Venus, 2012 Fuji Crystal Archive prints with lacquered frames 41 x 63 in. (104.1 x 160 cm) Edition of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Regarding Venus, 2012
Fuji Crystal Archive prints with lacquered frames
41 x 63 in. (104.1 x 160 cm)
Edition of 8, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Doubleworld, 1995 Cibachrome print with mahogany frame 50 1/4 x 41 x 1 3/16 in. (127.6 x 104.1 x 3 cm) Edition of 6, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Doubleworld, 1995
Cibachrome print with mahogany frame
50 1/4 x 41 x 1 3/16 in. (127.6 x 104.1 x 3 cm)
Edition of 6, + 2 APs

 

Stills, 1980. Installation view, Art Institute of Chicago, 2014, © The Estate of Sarah Charlesworth.

Stills, 1980. Installation view, Art Institute of Chicago, 2014, © The Estate of Sarah Charlesworth.

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, New Museum, New York, 2015, Courtesy New Museum, New York. Photo: Maris Hutchinson.

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, New Museum, New York, 2015, Courtesy New Museum, New York. Photo: Maris Hutchinson.

 

Sarah Charlesworth Maps, 1987 cibachrome with lacquered wood frame diptych, overall: 41 x 61 1/4 x 2 in. (104.1 x 155.6 x 5.1 cm) Edition of 4, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Maps, 1987
cibachrome with lacquered wood frame
diptych, overall: 41 x 61 1/4 x 2 in. (104.1 x 155.6 x 5.1 cm)
Edition of 4, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Samurai, 1981 black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame frame: 63 7/8 x 49 7/8 x 1 5/8 in. (162.2 x 126.7 x 4.1 cm) Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Samurai, 1981
black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame
frame: 63 7/8 x 49 7/8 x 1 5/8 in. (162.2 x 126.7 x 4.1 cm)
Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, New Museum, New York, 2015, Courtesy New Museum, New York. Photo by Benoit Pailley.

Sarah Charlesworth: Doubleword, New Museum, New York, 2015, Courtesy New Museum, New York. Photo by Benoit Pailley.

 

Sarah Charlesworth Stone Tablet, 1981 black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame frame: 65 7/8 x 49 7/8 x 1 5/8 in. (167.3 x 126.7 x 4.1 cm) Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Stone Tablet, 1981
black and white mural print, mounted with lacquered wood frame
frame: 65 7/8 x 49 7/8 x 1 5/8 in. (167.3 x 126.7 x 4.1 cm)
Edition of 3, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth Separation, 1991 Dye-sublimation prints (2) lacquered wood frames each image: 52 x 19 in. (132.1 x 48.3 cm) each frame: 56  x 23 in. (142.2 x 58.4 cm) overall: 56 x 48 in. (142.2 x 121.9 cm) Edition of 5, + 2AP's

Sarah Charlesworth
Separation, 1991
Dye-sublimation prints (2) lacquered wood frames
each image: 52 x 19 in. (132.1 x 48.3 cm)
each frame: 56  x 23 in. (142.2 x 58.4 cm)
overall: 56 x 48 in. (142.2 x 121.9 cm)
Edition of 5, + 2AP's

Sarah Charlesworth Fashion Collage, 1983-1984 cibachrome with lacquered wood frame frame: 20 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (52.1 x 40 x 3.2 cm) Edition of 7, + 2 APs

Sarah Charlesworth
Fashion Collage, 1983-1984
cibachrome with lacquered wood frame
frame: 20 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (52.1 x 40 x 3.2 cm)
Edition of 7, + 2 APs