Cindy Sherman - Identity

Cindy Sherman deals with identity constantly in her artwork because she is usually her own subject. She assumes a variety of roles not only as the subject but as the artist since she acts as photographer, make up artist, model, etc. As a film enthusiast, I'm especially drawn to her Untitled Film Stills series, in which she remakes herself into the various roles that women have been portrayed through film. She plays with the notion of stereotypes by constantly reinventing herself, rejecting standard ideals of femininity. I think this series is especially reminiscent of cinematographer Robert Burks and his collaborative work with Alfred Hitchcock (who was notorious for the way he treated women in real life and portrayed them on film).

Cindy Sherman. Untitled Film Still #56. 1980

 

 

"Untitled Film Still #35" (1979)