Cindy Sherman is a contemporary American photographer and filmmaker known for her conceptual self-portraits Referencing a variety of visual styles and genres, Sherman examines the definition of identity in the modern age, the role of women in society, and the representation of female figures in the media. Her groundbreaking works have influenced numerous generations of visual artists and are recognized as some of the most important pieces of twentieth- and twenty-first-century photography.
One of Sherman’s most famous and recognized works is her Untitled Film Stills series, which she completed between 1977 and 1980. The series consists of seventy black-and-white photographs in which Sherman plays the role of various female characters, referencing imagery from classic Hollywood films. Through her own body and performances, she exposes the sexism and stereotypes of Hollywood’s representations of women – from the glamorous “starlet” to the working-class housewife.
Another important series is Sherman’s notorious Centerfolds, in which she arranged her photographs to resemble the centerfolds in popular men’s magazines. The photographs subvert traditional ideas of female sexuality and explore notions of identity and desire.
In her series Fashion, Sherman presented her photographs as fashion advertisements, providing a commentary on the beauty industry and consumer culture. The works feature Sherman as various types of female figures in various settings, referencing but ultimately parodying the marketing of beauty.
Sherman’s Clowns photographs show her in the role of clowns in exaggerated makeup and costume. The works touch on themes of public identity, power dynamics, and the public’s often conflicting perception of clowns.
Finally, Sherman’s History Portraits show her in the role of aristocratic women from different eras. The works explore the idea of societal power as well as the change in gender roles throughout history. The portraits often combine elements of classical painting and photography, inserting Sherman in the role of celebrated female subjects from the past.