Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman

            Cindy Sherman is one of the most well-known American photographers for her portraits depicting a theme of women in society.  Sherman also does film directing along with her conceptual photography.  Cindy Sherman started out studying painting, but thought that the medium had limitations, which was how she began photography.  She creates her photos in series, and is famous for playing both photographer and model.  She dresses up in costumes and hairstyles to create the effect she wants, and then takes her own self-portrait.  She stars in her Bus Riders series as well as Murder Mystery People.  Sherman’s most widely recognized series is Untitled Film Stills, which are done in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s style and in black and white.

            I was inspired by Cindy Sherman’s early life.  She figured out early that painting was not the path that she wanted to take, and so it allowed her to explore a range of other mediums.  I also learned that she failed a photography class.  It is interesting that such a successful photographer has had failure in her past, and it is inspiring to know that she went through the same learning processes as normal art students.  Cindy Sherman is unique in that she models for her own photos.  It is a difficult process, but she perseveres and succeeds.