Cindy Sherman, born in Huntington, was raised by an engineer father and a teacher mother. As a child, she developed a passion for dressing up and a fascination with the bad guys she read. This early interest in character transformation would later influence her artistic career.
At the State University of New York at Buffalo, Sherman discovered her love for art and began painting. She soon transitioned to photography, co-founding the "Hallwalls" exhibition with her peers. Her early photographic works, including the series "Untitled A - D" and "Bus Riders" (1975),showcased her talent for self-portraiture and disguise.
Sherman's most famous works, the "Untitled Film Stills" (1977-1980),solidified her reputation as a photographer, self-director, and disguise artist. These black-and-white photographs depicted her as an actress, critiquing the role clichés of women in 1940s and 1950s films. The Museum of Modern Art acquired the series in 1995 for over a million dollars.
In her "History Portraits" series, Sherman explored the role of women in the history of art. This work, which she began in the 1990s, highlights her ability to fill multiple roles, both as a model and photographer.
Sherman's artistic intentions include critiquing identity, feminine role clichés, violence, sexuality, play, and reality, as well as the revelations of these topics. Her work often alienates the viewer, evoking feelings of disgust and unease.
The artist has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the ten best living artists by ARTnews magazine. Her work has been exhibited globally, including a large-scale retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and a retrospective at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Sherman has also received several prestigious awards, including the "Praemium Imperiale" in 2016 and the Max Beckmann Prize in 2019.
