Charles Searles, American (1937 - 2004)

Born in Philadelphia, and living in New York since 1978, Charles Searles received his undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania and his art education at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, graduating with honors. He has traveled and exhibited in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Searles has been on many public art panels, taught art workshops, and is currently teaching at Pratt. His former teaching experiences include Jersey City State College, Bloomfield College, and the University of The Arts in Philadelphia, where he taught for nineteen years.

Searles is involved with sculpture, painting, and drawing. He has completed seven public commissions and is currently beginning his eighth commission for Long Island Rail Road in New York.

My works are primarily boldly painted wood sculptures which are free-standing or hang on a wall. I use flat planes as well as curved surfaces and, although the forms are constantly changing, some things are often used such as ovular holes in the sculpture (which, for me, suggest eyes.) The pieces have been said to convey masks, dancers, music, or rhythms. They also have a strong cultural identity that has been called African, Asian, Native American, Caribbean, and more. Therefore, I entitled the four sculptures at the Dempsey Center Cultural Harmony. -- Searles, 1990