Chloe Gouldson: Discourse: Artist Research: Cindy Sherman

It’s safe to say that Cindy Sherman has certainly made her stamp within photography; her work has been a continuous example of postmodern art photography. Sherman’s relationship with art first emerged with painting, something that soon developed into photography. Something that makes Sherman’s work so unique and apparent is the fact she is both the photographer and model: the observer and the observed. I think this allows a twist on people’s perception of her work and address issues regarding gender, identity and power. These portraits have many elements within them that make them so successful, ranging from heavy make-up, wigs, dramatic clothing and ill-fitting prosthetic facial parts.

A monumental part of Sherman’s career in the world of photography was her series of photographs named ‘Untitled Film Stills’ which displays the role of women into society and how femininity is a composed notion and not merely something that is naturally intrinsic to women. These particular photographs allow us to undertake how we may visualise something, and how images have the ability to shape both our sentiments and understanding.

Sherman’s work is dynamic, diverse and versatile and emits something that make you really question the reasoning and meaning behind the images as well as the connotations that are involved.