cindy sherman retrospective at SFMOMA

cindy sherman, untitled #465, 2008
chromogenic color print
63 3/4 x 57 1/4″ (161.9 x 145.4 cm)
courtesy the artist and metro pictures, new york
© 2012 cindy sherman

cindy sherman
san francisco museum of modern art, san francisco
on now through october 8th, 2012

one of the most widely recognized and influential american photographers in the contemporary art world, cindy sherman, has a retrospective of works showing at the san francisco museum of modern art. the exhibition showcases more than 170 pieces, tracing her career from the mid 1970s to the present. the opus spans sherman’s provocative exploration of identity and nature of representation through various portraitures of herself in a range of unusual, thoughtful and amusing guises.

the concepts often draw from pop culture, such as movies, TV, magazines, the internet and, contrastingly, art history, where she assumes the roles of photographer, model, makeup artist, hairdresser and stylist to create a myriad of personas. the images cover a spectrum of eras where they can be set in black and white, featuring elements from the 1950s and 60s hollywood, film noir and european art-house films; take on characteristics of aristocrats and old master paintings; or her larger-than-life society portraits address the experience and depiction of aging in the context of contemporary obsessions with youth and status.  

cindy sherman, untitled #466, 2008
chromogenic color print; 8′ 6″ x 70″ (259.1 x 177.8 cm)
the museum of modern art, new york
acquired through the generosity of
robert b. menschel in honor of jerry i. speyer
© 2012 cindy sherman

cindy Sherman, untitled #474, 2008
chromogenic color print
7′ 6 3/4″ x 60″ (230.5 x 152.4 cm)
the museum of modern art, new york,
acquired through the generosity of an anonymous donor,
michael lynne, charles heilbronn
and the carol and david appel family fund
© 2012 cindy sherman

cindy sherman, untitled #512, 2011;
chromogenic color print;
6′ 7 3/4″ x 11′ 4 7/8″ (202.6 x 347.6 cm);
the museum of modern art, new york,
courtesy the artist and metro pictures, new york;
© 2012 cindy sherman

cindy sherman, untitled #119, 1983
chromogenic color print
48 1/2 x 7′ 10″ (115.6 x 238.8 cm)
courtesy the artist and metro pictures, new york
© 2012 cindy sherman

cindy sherman, untitled #131, 1983
chromogenic color print
7′ 10 3/4″ x 45 1/4″ (240.7 x 114.9 cm)
courtesy the artist and metro pictures, new york
© 2012 cindy sherman

cindy sherman, untitled #137, 1984
chromogenic color print
70 1/2″ x 47 3/4″ (179.1 x 121.3 cm)
courtesy the artist and metro pictures, new york
© 2012 cindy sherman

cindy sherman, Untitled #193, 1989
chromogenic color print
48 7/8 x 41 15/16″ (124.1 x 106.5 cm)
courtesy the artist and metro pictures, new york
© 2012 cindy sherman

cindy sherman, untitled #216, 1989
chromogenic color print
7′ 3 1/8″ x 56 1/8″ (221.3 x 142.5 cm)
the museum of modern art, new york
gift of werner and elaine dannheisser
© 2012 cindy sherman

cindy sherman, untitled #458, 2007-08
chromogenic color print
6′ 5 3/8″ x 58 1/4″ (196.5 x 148 cm)
courtesy the artist and metro pictures, new york
© 2012 cindy sherman