Cindy Sherman Photography Essay

Introduction

Cindy Sherman is one of the celebrated photographers in America. She belongs to the category of American artists who gained recognition in the early 1980s. The artistic works of this group of postmodern artists also matured during this period. During this era, there was a significant growth and spread of the mass media photography. Sherman ventured in photography in the late 1970s. Sherman's photography highlights the ordinary roles of women and their personas. She also criticizes the oppressiveness and seductiveness effects of the press through her photography. To accomplish her photography goals, Sherman uses a camera as well as tools of contemporary cinema to create common perceptions that demonstrate ideas of self-esteem, public celebrity, sexual escapades and entertainment among others. Some of the cinema tools Sherman uses include makeup, theatrical sceneries, and costumes.

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Comparison Between Cindy Sherman and Lee Miller Artworks

Sherman is a postmodern photographer while Miller was a modernist photographer. These artists used photography to address objectification and dehumanization of females both in society and in art. Sherman and Miller's objective was to enlighten women on the importance of protecting their values, decency, and dignity.

Sex Pictures Series (1983), is among Sherman's artwork that addresses dehumanization of females in the postmodern society and art. Sherman used anatomical dolls, set in a sexually enticing position, which is differentiated from real pornography (Theartstory). Sherman used this picture to highlight the objectification and dehumanization of females that was experienced historically across the globe. Sherman wanted to appeal to men to change their perceptions towards women. She used the portrait to caution men against using women as objects of satisfying their lustful sexual desires. Fundamentally, she champions to change the perceptions of her audience and influence them to start viewing women as human beings who deserve to be treated with respect and humanity.

On the other hand, Lee Miller addresses dehumanization, objectification, and voyeurism. Picnic, Lle Saint-Marguerite (1937) is one of Miller's portraits that champions for female dignity (Lee Miller Works). The picture shows two women and three men seemingly enjoying themselves. The upper parts of the women's body are exposed while the men are fully dressed. Miller took this picture in order to speak against men's habit of deriving satisfaction from viewing women nudity. Through the picture, she challenged the art industry to respect women and represent them in a decent way in their artwork.

Traits of Postmodern Photography

The postmodern photography has a general ideology, which demonstrates the influence of the value systems and innovations. Sherman is considerate of the societal value systems since she uses dolls in her Sex Pictures Series (1983) rather than using human beings. This demonstrates that as a postmodern artist, she is conscious of the values guiding and observed by the society, which prevents her from dehumanizing and objectifying women in her artwork. Postmodern photography is also characterized by extensive utilization of technology. Postmodern photography is influenced by the emergence of televisions, printers, and computers. These technologies have enhanced the quality of postmodern photographs. For example, Sex Pictures Series (1983) is colored, unlike images that were taken during the modernist period, which were black and white.

Furthermore, postmodern photography has several meanings. Postmodern artists allow their audience to interpret and understand postmodern photography in different ways. For instance, Sherman's audience can interpret Sex Pictures Series (1983) in different ways depending on how they understand the content of the portrait.

Works Cited

"Cindy Sherman Most Important Art | Theartstory." The Art Story. N.p., 2018. Web. 18 Oct. 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.theartstory.org/artist-sherman-cindy-artworks.htm"Lee Miller Works." Offer Waterman. N.p., 2018. Web. 18 Oct. 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.waterman.co.uk/artists/313-lee-miller/works/3404/