Larry Sultan
author · photographer
Larry Sultan (1946–2009) was an American photographer and educator known for his conceptual approach to documentary photography. Born in Brooklyn and raised in the San Fernando Valley, California, Sultan's work often explored themes of family dynamics, identity, and suburban life. He is best known for 'Pictures from Home' (1992), a decade-long project documenting his aging parents, which combined staged photographs with home movie stills and personal text. His other significant works include 'Evidence' (1977) and 'The Valley' (2004). Sultan held teaching positions at the San Francisco Art Institute and the California College of the Arts, where he served as a distinguished professor until his death from cancer in 2009.[1,3,4,5]
Themes
- family dynamics
- suburbia
- identity
- memory
Books
Works by Larry Sultan
- Evidence 1977 · book Collaborative work with Mike Mandel.
- Pictures From Home 1992 · Harry N. Abrams Inc. · book ISBN 978-0810937215 A decade-long portrait of his parents in the San Fernando Valley.
- The Valley 2004 · Scalo · book ISBN 9783908247791 Explores the adult film industry's use of residences in the San Fernando Valley.
- Katherine Avenue 2010 · Steidl · book ISBN 978-3869301358
Exhibitions
- 2012 Larry Sultan's Homeland: American Story Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, TX solo
- 2014 Larry Sultan: Here and Home Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Los Angeles, CA solo
- 2015 Larry Sultan: Here and Home Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI solo
- 2015 Larry Sultan Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst, Ghent, Belgium solo
Awards
- 1976 Art in Public Places grant National Endowment for the Arts
- 1977 Photographer’s Fellowship National Endowment for the Arts
- 1980 Photographer’s Fellowship National Endowment for the Arts
- 1983 Guggenheim Fellowship John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
- 1986 Photographer’s Fellowship National Endowment for the Arts
- 1990 Eureka Fellowship Fleishhacker Foundation
- 1991 Biennial Award The Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation
- 1992 Photographer’s Fellowship National Endowment for the Arts
References
- Larry Sultan. 2026 link
- Randy Kennedy. Larry Sultan, California Photographer, Dies at 63. The New York Times. 2009 link
- Larry Sultan. 2026 link
- Sean O'Hagan. Pictures from Home by Larry Sultan review – when Mom and Dad lived the dream. The Observer. 2017 link
- Carmen Winant. The Influence and Legacy of Larry Sultan. Time. 2014 link