Sara Rossberg (b. 1952, Recklinghausen, Germany) is a German-born painter living and working in London.
Rossberg describes her work as an introverted exploration of experienced life and observations expressed through painting. She creates ‘paint-objects’ that possess their own reality and physical presence and are intended to be experienced rather than read like a book.
“While my paintings may superficially appear descriptive, they do not tell stories. They are about the impression they leave with the viewer, combined with a meditative stillness, even when my colours are at their most challenging. They take a great deal of time to make and equally take time to explore.”
Although Rossberg uses the figure as the foundation for her work, it is never about an individual person or situation but simply about their being, the humanness they represent; vulnerability, resilience and those deeply felt emotions which are simultaneously universal yet intensely personal and extraordinary
The complexity of the human experience is reflected in the way she works, with materiality and colour an integral part of her painting syntax. Her method, inspired by old master techniques, involves building up countless layers of pure colour pigments mixed with various mediums to form a mostly translucent body of paint which sits object-like on the canvas. Thickness can range from nothing to 15mm, smooth or textured, at times aggressively rough, creating intense colour sensations and tonal ranges acting as layers of perception. Rossberg prefers that viewers experience the work up close, as if stepping into it and becoming absorbed by it so that, in the end, what remains is the feeling that emanates from the painting.
Sara Rossberg completed Postgraduate studies at the Camberwell College of Art, London (1978) and is a graduate of the Staedelschule, Academy of Fine Art, Frankfurt am Main (1976).
Solo exhibitions have taken place at: Galerie Lattemann, Darmstadt- Muehltal, Germany (2015); Albemarle Gallery, London (2007); The Women’s Art Collection, New Hall College, Cambridge (2004); Galerie Vieille du Temple, Paris (2002); Julian Hartnoll Gallery, London (1997); Turnpike Gallery, Leigh (1996); Stiebel Modern, New York (1993); Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, Warrington (1992); Stiebel Modern, New York (1992); Jill George Gallery, London (1991); Louis Newman Gallery, Los Angeles (1990); Rosenberg & Stiebel, New York (1990); Retrospective touring show ‘Don’t I Know You?’: Museum & Art Gallery Newport, Oriel Gallery, Cardiff, D.L.I. Museum & Art Gallery Durham (1989); Thumb Gallery, London (1988); Denne Hill, Treadwell Gallery (1987); Kunstkeller, Bern, Switzerland (1987); International Art Fair, Basel (1986), Staedek Academy of Fine Art, Frankfurt am Main (1973).
Recent group shows include: Repose, curated by Matthew Holman, William Hine Gallery (2025-2026); Jackson’s Art Prize 2025 Finalist Exhibition [winner of the Judges Choice Award; Advanced Contemporaries, curated by Paul Carey-Kent, Emma Cousin and Theo Ellison (2024).
Rossberg’s works are held in the public collections of The National Portrait Gallery, London; The Women’s Art Collection, Cambridge; The Louth Museum, Lincolnshire; The Newport Museum & Art Gallery, Newport and K&B Corp Collection, New Orleans, US.
