One of the most influential American contemporary photographers, Cindy Sherman has centered her work on transformation. In self-portraits that evoke the tropes of cinema and advertising, she has transformed herself to experiment with ideas of identity, particularly related to the expectations for women. Sherman is one of the most significant artists of the Pictures Generation, a group of artists who have utilized appropriation and montage to reveal the constructed nature of images, including Richard Prince, Barbara Kruger, David Salle and Robert Longo.
Sherman was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, in 1954. Growing up in Long Beach, she was immersed in the television and film culture of the era — the Cold War, nuclear bombs, capitalism and the increasing onslaught of images selling an ever-growing array of commercial products. In 1972, she attended the State University of New York in Buffalo and majored in painting, but she became enthralled with photography and switched her major, graduating in 1976.
Shortly after graduation, she began to work on one of her best-known series, the “Untitled Film Stills.” For the 70 black-and-white photographs that mimic publicity stills used to advertise movies, she was both the photographer and the subject. The work debuted in 1980 to critical acclaim and international recognition.
During the 1980s, Sherman began to shoot with color film and use prosthetics and stage makeup. She explored the grotesque and malevolent by creating photographs portraying eating disorders, insanity and death. Her work further focused on how society maintains and perpetuates stereotypical roles for women.
Her manipulation of identity through images has influenced many photographers, including Ryan Trecartin, Lisa Yuskavage and Tracey Ullman. In 2000, Sherman’s work was exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. In 2012, the Museum of Modern Art in New York held a retrospective of her work. The National Portrait Gallery in London held a retrospective in 2019.
Major museums around the world have collected her work, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London and the Art Institute of Chicago. Her photographs frequently fetch record prices at auction.
On 1stdibs, find Cindy Sherman’s photography, prints and multiples, mixed media and more.
1980's Andy Warhol Reigning Queens Advertisement (Warhol Queen Elizabeth)
By (after) Andy Warhol
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Andy Warhol Queens advertisement circa 1985 featuring Queen Elizabeth: Vintage original 1980s poster advertisement for Andy Warhol Reigning Queens at Leo Castelli gallery, New York....
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1980s Keith Haring Andy Warhol AREA advertisement
By Michael Halsband
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Haring, Andy Warhol Area c. 1985: Rare original advertisement for AREA nightclub featuring Andy Warhol (lower left) & Keith Haring (top center). Portrait by Michael Halsband. ...
Paper
Warhol African Queens Advertisements, 1985
By Andy Warhol
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage original advertisements for Warhol Queens at Leo Castelli gallery. Set of 3 circa 1985. Offset print on newspaper stock. Measures: 11 x 17 inches. Minor signs of handling; o...
Paper
Vintage Tom Wesselmann Avant Garde ‘Magazine’, 1968
By Tom Wesselmann
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 1968 issue of Avant Garde Magazine with a superb, highly frameable cover illustration by American pop art icon, Tom Wesselmann. Celebrated...
Paper
CRASH & DAZE Sidney Janis Gallery New York 1984 (exhibit catalogue)
By Crash
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Crash and Daze: Sidney Janis Gallery New York 1984: Rare New York 1980s graffiti exhibition catalogue published on the occasion of: 'An Exhibition of Graffiti Art by Crash...
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The Cramps Lux Interior Photograph (vintage darkroom photo)
By Mick Rock 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lux Interior The Cramps circa early 1980s: Stunning vintage original darkroom photograph of the legendary Lux Interior - the legendary punk and rock music icon & lead singer of The Cramps. Silver gelatin print. Dimensions: 8 x 10 inches. Circa early 1980s. Minor signs of handling. Good to very good overall vintage condition. Unsigned from unknown photographer. "The Cramps were a wonderfully wild 'n' wacky punk alternative psychobilly rock 'n' roll band. The group was first formed by lead singer Lux Interior and guitarist Poison Ivy Rorschach in 1976 in New York City (Interior and Ivy initially crossed paths in Sacramento, California in 1972). The other original band members were drummer Miriam Linna and guitarist Bryan Gregory. The Cramps are distinguished by their deliciously campy 'n' crazy sensibility, wholehearted passion for both old-fashioned straight 'n' simple retro 50s rock music and entertainingly trashy grade B movies, and an appropriately raw 'n' bluesy full-throttle raucous rollicking sound. Their albums usually consisted of insanely inspired covers of obscure songs and delightfully deranged original compositions. The Cramps started out playing gigs at such legendary Big Apple punk venues as CBGB's and Max's Kansas City. In June 1978 they performed a free benefit concert for the patients at the California State Mental Hospital in Napa Valley. The group released their debut EP "Gravest Hits" in 1979. This was followed by the full-length album "Songs the Lord Taught Us" in 1980. The Cramps relocated to Los Angeles in 1980. They performed in concert all over the world (they even opened for the Police in Europe in 1980!) and recorded over ten albums in a career which spanned over thirty years." (source: Woody Anders) Related Categories CBGB. The Ramones. The Clash. Blondie. Rock Photography. Punk Photography...
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Cindy Sherman Bomb Magazine 1983 (advertisement)
By Cindy Sherman
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Cindy Sherman Bomb Magazine 1983: A rare advertisement/promotional card featuring photography by Cindy Sherman in conjunction with Bomb Magazine. Dimensions: 11 x 15 inches. Medium...
Offset
Cindy Sherman, Untitled 103 - Signed Print from 1999, Contemporary Photography
By Cindy Sherman
Located in Hamburg, DE
Cindy Sherman (American, b. 1954) Untitled #103, 1982 Medium: Offset lithograph on paper Dimensions: 101 × 65 cm (39¾ h × 25½ w in) Edition size: Unknown (presumably 100 to 200) Mark...
Offset
Untitled #119 Offset Print by Cindy Sherman, Contemporary, 1996
By Cindy Sherman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paper Size: 14.5 x 20.5 inches ( 36.83 x 52.07 cm )?Image Size: 7 x 13.75 inches ( 17.78 x 34.925 cm )?Framed: No?Condition: A-: Near Mint, very light signs of handling??Additional D...
Offset
Cindy Sherman 'Portraits' Exhibition Poster, 1993, Unframed Print
By Cindy Sherman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paper Size: 33 x 23.5 inches ( 83.82 x 59.69 cm ) Image Size: 32 x 23.25 inches ( 81.28 x 59.055 cm ) Framed: No Condition: A: Mint Additional Details: This is an original exhibitio...
Offset
Cindy Sherman 1985 Exhibition Poster - Offset Print Photography
By Cindy Sherman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paper Size: 33 x 23.25 inches ( 83.82 x 59.055 cm ) Image Size: 18 x 11.75 inches ( 45.72 x 29.845 cm ) Framed: No Condition: B-: Good Condition, Signs of Handling and Age Additional Details: Original exhibition poster for Cindy Sherman...
Offset
Cindy Sherman - Untitled #205, 1989CINDY SHERMAN (B. 1954) Untitled #205, 1989 P
By Cindy Sherman
Located in Dallas, TX
CINDY SHERMAN (B. 1954) Untitled #205, 1989 Photo Litho, 2008 6.5 x 10
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