Skip to main content

Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

American, 1937-2004

Inspired by the traditional art of Africa, Charles Robert Searles referenced masks, dancers and music in his kaleidoscopic paintings, sculptures, prints, public artworks and drawings. “Busy is the term that many people use when describing my paintings,” he wrote in a 1973 statement. “Busy yes, or I’d say full. Full of color, full of design, movement and people.”

Born in Philadelphia, Searles initially worked as a house painter before serving in the Army. He then studied at the ​​University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts before traveling to Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and other West African countries on a Cresson Traveling Scholarship. The experience was pivotal, with the sights and sounds he witnessed influencing the buoyant colors and dynamic scenes of his paintings. After returning to Philadelphia, Searles taught at the Ile Ife Black Humanitarian Center before moving to New York, where he set up a studio.

Searles’s work was featured in the 1969 “New Black Artists” exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. It was among the first shows to showcase Black modern artists. Searles’s work was also part of the 1971 “Contemporary Black Artists in America” at the Whitney Museum, where his painting News garnered critical acclaim. In 1974, the artist was commissioned to paint a mural in Philadelphia’s William J. Green Jr. Federal Building. The resulting piece, a vibrant panorama of dancers and drummers, merges the energy of American street festivals with Searles’s memories of Nigeria. While his later work was more abstract and often involved carved wooden elements, it was always imbued with a vivid sense of rhythm and movement.

Searles’s art has been exhibited around the world. It is in many permanent collections, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Woodmere Art Museum and Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Find authentic Charles Robert Searles art today on 1stDibs.

to
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
1
1
5
210
177
153
131
1
Artist: Charles Robert Searles
"Bo Bro Bill"
By Charles Robert Searles
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim's of Lambertville Fine Art Gallery is proud to present this piece by Charles Searles (1937 - 2004). Charles Searles was born in Philadelphia, PA and received his fine art educat...
Category

1960s Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Masonite, Mixed Media

Related Items
Music Sonata In A Shadow Box
By Erik J. Erikson
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Music Sonata In A Shadow Box 2023 Mixed Media, artist signed, front Plexiglas. This sculpture is perfect for the wall or a coffee table. This 3D music diorama found its home in a drawer from an antique Tansu Chest. Some of the 3D elements were made by Erikson. Antique materials achieve a vintage and interesting aesthetic. The depth of the case creates a stage like atmosphere as sort of a visual guide for the viewers eye. The overlapping and juxtaposition of the elements creates a intriguing and appealing composition. Very often Erikson art echoes and fuses antiquity and modernity. Erikson’s central imagery concerns itself with intrigue and a sense of surprise. His body of work is often dispersed with visual, tactile and intellectual delights that lead the viewer on their own form of discovery. Erikson’s awareness of the aesthetic in sending things back in time is a result of studying the Renaissance and other periods of art history. This infusion of historical art references has had a vital effect on his body of work. Heavily influenced by the well known New York art dealer Allan Stone (who represented, among other giants, Joseph Cornell, and Willem de Kooning, Erikson has never departed from Stone’s insistence that “surprise” should remain with a piece of art no matter how long it is viewed. The discipline of archeology decodes messages of the past to find meanings of objects and classify them. This observation takes the viewer on a deeper understanding of the interplay. As a curator of his own “museum cases” in other work, Erikson’s personal vocabulary evokes images of extreme preciousness combined in miniature settings. Despite its minute scale his work commands presence and a sense of vastness. In his body of work, Erikson attempts to introduce sculpture to painting as a way of integrating the second and third dimensions. Exhibited: Allan Stone Gallery - New York, New York Elaine Baker Gallery - Boca Raton, Florida Renata Fine Arts Gallery - West Palm Beach, Florida Winfield Gallery...
Category

2010s Contemporary Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Paper, Mixed Media

STOI V, unique dazzling large indoor painted wood sculpture by important artist
By Alexander Liberman
Located in New York, NY
Alexander Liberman STOI V, 1986 Wood with paper and paint 97 1/2 × 28 × 37 inches This work is hand signed twice by Alexander Liberman: Signed on the side as well as the underside an...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Oil, Laid Paper, Mixed Media

SCARY (Hand painted Skateboard Skate Deck) Signed 1/10 British Pop Street Artist
By Ben Eine
Located in New York, NY
Ben Eine SCARY (Hand painted Skateboard Skate Deck), 2017 Hand painted with blue skate deck on 100% Canadian maplewood Boldly signed and dated on the front in black marker; numbered ...
Category

2010s Street Art Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Maple, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Permanent Marker

Neolithic Site Plan mixed media on wood metal wall sculpture
By Thomas Anderson
Located in Palm Desert, CA
I am usually not thinking so much about a finished work, but am inspired, accepting and mystified by the process of creating it. I see each of my works as a rehearsal in enduring un...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Inner Most Thoughts 3D Wall Art
By Erik J. Erikson
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Inner Most Thoughts 3D Wall Sculpture 2023 Mixed Media Construction, artist signed. This piece of music art represents an abstract symphony composed of 3D wood, bone elements plus collage. It is ready to be hung on the wall for viewing. Made from various found objects plus...
Category

2010s Assemblage Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Mixed Media, Paper

Wandering Bonanza 19
By Hyland Mather (X-O)
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Wandering Bonanza 19" is an original Lost Object Series assembly with string by Amsterdam-based artist X-O (Hyland Mather) measuring 20in x 16in x 2in.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Mixed Media, Paint, Wood

"Wing Series 11, #1" Textured Abstract Wall Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Textured contemporary orange and green wall sculpture. The work is textured using masonite and sawdust. The work is titled, dated and signed by the artist on the back of the work. Michael Richardson...
Category

1980s Contemporary Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Masonite, Acrylic

"You Have the Right to Remain Silent" Wood Panel Original Painting and Carving
Located in Soquel, CA
"You Have the Right to Remain Silent" Wood Panel Original Painting and Carving Elaborate collage, painting and carved sculpture by Mickey "Kano" Kane (American, 20th century). In Yo...
Category

1990s Outsider Art Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel, Masonite, Adhesive, Fiberboard

Mary Bauermeister, Studio Leftover Fetich, 3D mixed media sculpture Fluxus, S/N
By Mary Bauermeister
Located in New York, NY
Mary Baumeister Studio Leftover Fetich, 1953, 1967 Unique Mixed Media 3-D Assemblage Ink Signed, dated, titled, annotated "Edition Original" and numbered 52/75. Shadow box frame Incl...
Category

1960s Abstract Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Mixed Media, Wood, Found Objects, Ink, Acrylic

Spoon to Shell 830 - Mixed Media Shell Wood Contemporary Assemblage Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Linda Stein, Spoon to Shell 830 - Mixed Media Shell Wood Contemporary Assemblage Sculpture Spoon to Shell 830 is from Linda Stein's Holocaust Heroes: Fierce Females series, which hi...
Category

2010s Contemporary Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Measured Expansion 69 - Mixed Media Assemblage Contemporary Art Wall Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Linda Stein, Measured Expansion 69 - Mixed Media Assemblage Contemporary Art Wall Sculpture Measured Expansion 69 is from artist Linda Stein's Brush Assemblage series, where she com...
Category

1980s Assemblage Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Wood, Mixed Media, Acrylic

Mid Century Primordial Pictograph Abstract
By Duane Armstrong
Located in Soquel, CA
Stunning abstract with Native American symbols using earth tones and 3D aspect for increased depth and texture by listed artist Duane Armstrong (American, b. 1938). 1966. Signed and ...
Category

1960s Abstract Charles Robert Searles Sculptures

Materials

Foam, Masonite, Oil

Mid Century Primordial Pictograph Abstract
Mid Century Primordial Pictograph Abstract
$2,280 Sale Price
20% Off
H 48 in W 48 in D 2.25 in

Charles Robert Searles sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Charles Robert Searles sculptures available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Charles Robert Searles in masonite, mixed media, wood and more. Not every interior allows for large Charles Robert Searles sculptures, so small editions measuring 32 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Gino Miles, Clement Meadmore, and George Sugarman. Charles Robert Searles sculptures prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $99,375 and tops out at $99,375, while the average work can sell for $99,375.

Recently Viewed

View All