Cindy Sherman
Artist: Cindy Sherman
Born: 1954 Glen Ridge, NJ and raised in suburban Long Island
School: Earned a BA Degree in 1976, Buffalo State University of N.Y., where she initially
studied painting. She failed the requisite introductory photography course because
of her difficulties with the technological aspects of making a print. She credits her next
photography teacher with introducing her to conceptual art, which she says had a
liberating effect on her.
Graduated in 1977 and moved to N.Y.
Exhibit: First survey exhibition of her work, the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam 1982
followed by a retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art, N.Y. 1987
The complete series (Film Stills) was first exhibited at the Hirshhorn Museum in
Washington D.C., 1995
Lives and works in N.Y.
Film Stills: Series of black and white photographs created from 1977 to 1980, series of 69,
includes 7 color works ranging in date from 1980 to 1992
Many taken in Sherman's apartment, she plays every role herself, although they are
not self-portraits. She does not reveal herself, but shows the many masks of
femininity. She says she is trying to make people recognize something.
Sherman impersonates various female character types from old B movies and film
Noir spoke to a generation of baby boomers women who had grown up absorbing
those glamorous images at home on their televisions, taking such portrayals as cues for the future. She used photography to challenge the images and myths of popular culture and mass media. Her images explore the relationship between posing and the self. Images show her in 50's garb as housewife, glamour girl, etc. and explore the various stereotypes of women. She is known as cynical, repulsive,...
Please login to view the full essay...