Buddha of Immeasurable Light America, 20th century

Buddha of Immeasurable Light

1987

Sarah Charlesworth

(American, 1947–2013)

America, 20th century

silver dye bleach process color print (Cibachrome)

Framed: 104.4 x 155.3 cm (41 1/8 x 61 1/8 in.)

Purchase from the Karl B. Goldfield Trust 1999.85.b

Edition: AP

Location: not on view

This artwork is known to be under copyright.

Description

This glossy photographic diptych is of one of the most stimulating and recognized works yet produced by Sarah Charlesworth, a key artist of her generation. It comes from her "Objects of Desire" series (1983-88) which examined the use of icons and signs in our culture. From magazines, Charlesworth collected photographic images referring to a variety of historical and cultural sources. She then collaged the images onto bright monochromatic backgrounds and rephotographed the resulting compositions. The new works were printed on Cibachrome paper and bound by lacquered frames. Here, inspired by her longstanding interest in Buddhist culture, Charlesworth paired a Japanese statue of a Buddha with a circular opening in the ceiling of a dark room, revealing a patch of blue sky. The structure of the diptych suggests a dichotomy between spirit and matter, and questions the boundary between dream and reality.