Sarah Thornton
Sarah Thornton
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Sarah Thornton is a British-American sociologist known for her work on art world sociology. She is often referred to as the "art world's favorite sociologist."
Birth and Death Dates
Born in 1958, Thornton passed away on January 31, 2020.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Thornton held dual citizenship of the United Kingdom and the United States. Her professional background includes sociology, art history, and anthropology.
Early Life and Background
Sarah Thornton was born in London, England. Growing up in a family of artists and intellectuals, she developed an early interest in the arts. She studied at King's College London and later earned her Ph.D. from the University of Manchester. Her academic pursuits took her to various institutions worldwide, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Major Accomplishments
Thornton's groundbreaking work in art world sociology led to significant contributions to the field. She pioneered a new approach to understanding the art world by focusing on artists' practices and the networks that connect them. Her research revealed the intricate relationships between art, commerce, and culture.
One of her most notable achievements is the publication of "Seven Days in the Art World" (2008), which spent over 50 weeks at the top of The New York Times bestseller list. This book offers an insider's perspective on the contemporary art world, highlighting the complex dynamics between artists, galleries, museums, and collectors.
Notable Works or Actions
Thornton's work extends beyond her written publications. She has been a frequent contributor to The Financial Times, The New Yorker, and other prominent publications. Her expertise has led to collaborations with institutions such as the Tate Modern in London and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles.
Impact and Legacy
Sarah Thornton's legacy is multifaceted:
Her innovative approach to art world sociology has influenced generations of scholars and artists.
By shedding light on the intricate networks within the art world, she helped demystify this complex arena for a broader audience.
Her work continues to inspire artistic innovation and creative entrepreneurship.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Sarah Thornton's impact is far-reaching due to her:
Innovative approach: By combining sociological insights with art historical context, she opened up new avenues of research in the field.
Accessible writing style: Her ability to communicate complex ideas in an engaging and accessible manner has made her work appealing to a wide range of readers.
Timely relevance: Her focus on the contemporary art world has allowed her to comment on pressing issues, such as globalization and market-driven cultural production.
Quotes by Sarah Thornton
Art is about experimenting and ideas, but it is also about excellence and exclusion. In a society where everyone is looking for a little distinction, it’s an intoxicating combination.
The newsletter contributes to the illusion of transparency,” he admits. “People are overinformed and undereducated. They have this veneer of knowledge.
Our lives are constantly changing. Different things become relevant at different times in our lives. We are motivated by our changing sensibilities. Why can that not be applied to art?
The contemporary art world is what Tom Wolfe would call a “statusphere.” It’s structured around nebulous and often contradictory hierarchies of fame, credibility, imagined historical importance, institutional affliction, perceived intelligence, wealth, and attribution such as the size of one’s art collection.
Many outsiders see the art world as elitist and it is, except it is also oddly down-to-earth and embracing of oddballs who don’t fit in well anywhere else.
Art is not supposed to repeat what you already know. It is supposed to ask questions.
Although the art world is frequently characterised as a classless scene where artists from lower-msddle-class backgrounds drink champagne with high-priced hedge-fund managers, scholarly curators, fashion designers and other "creatives," you'd be mistaken if you thought the world was egalitarian or democratic. Art is about experimenting with ideas, but it is also about excellence and exclusion. In a society where everyone is looking for a little distinction, it's an intoxicating combination.
The contemporary art world is what Tom Wolfe would call a "statusphere." It's structured around nebulous and often contradictory hierarchies of fame, credibility, imagined historical importance, institutional affliction, perceived intelligence, wealth, and attribution such as the size of one's art collection.
Kelly wears her hair swept back in an odd 1940s pompadour that one writer assumed must be her “auxiliary brain.