Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman was born on January 19^th 1954 in New Jersey. The 59 year old is a well-known director and photographer.  Whilst in college Cindy took an interest in photography and this is where it all started.  The majority of the Sherman photographs are of herself in a range of costumes, to form her photographs, Sherman shoots alone in her studio, playing multiple roles including authors, directors, make-up artist, hairstylists, wardrobe mistress, and of course, models.

Sherman shot a collection of photos for Bus Riders in 1976, the photo’s featured the artist as a variety of accurately observed characters. Even though photographs were shot in 1976 some were not printed or displayed until 2000. Sherman uses decorative costumes and make up to transform her identity for each image, the stage is set using a wooden chair which stands in for the bus seat.

When asked if she considers herself to be acting in her photographs, Sherman said, ‘I never thought I was acting. When I became involved with close-ups I wanted more evidence in the expression. I couldn’t depend on the background or atmosphere. I wanted the story to come from the face, somehow the acting just happened’. Sherman also quoted “I feel I'm anonymous in my work. When I look at the pictures, I never see myself, they aren't self-portraits, sometimes I disappear. She describes her development as natural, and that she responds to elements of a setting such as mood, locations, light and costume.  She will continue to change outer features until she finds what she wants. When taking photographs of herself Sherman said, "I think of becoming a different person, I look into a mirror next to the camera and it’s trance-like. By staring into it I try to become that character through the lens. When I see what I want my instinct takes over both in the 'acting' and in the editing and seeing that other person that’s up there, that’s what I want, it’s like magic.