Cindy Sherman's Large-Scale Portraits of Aging Socialites Confront Invisibility and Melancholy
Cindy Sherman unveiled her latest series of oversized portraits at Sprüth Magers in Berlin, showcasing herself as Botox-enhanced, aging female socialites, with the exhibition running until mid-April 2009 before some pieces travel to London. Each artwork, approximately two by two meters, stands out as a rare example of large-scale work by a female artist, contrasting with the prevalence of such pieces by male counterparts. Set against digitally altered backdrops, the characters reveal themes of sadness and vulnerability. Drawing inspiration from a 1980s soap star's makeup advice website, Sherman points out that these figures embody affluent individuals lacking refinement. Additionally, a retrospective at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris is set for 23 September 2020 to 3 January 2021, reflecting on her 30-year career and themes of pathos and social facades.
Key facts
- Cindy Sherman's new portrait series features aging female socialites, all played by herself.
- The works are approximately two by two meters each, among her largest to date.
- The series debuted at Sprüth Magers in Berlin until mid-April 2009, with plans to move to London.
- Sherman was inspired by a website of a 1980s soap star promoting makeup tips.
- She uses digital tools in her studio but aims to avoid a digital appearance.
- A retrospective at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris runs from 23 September 2020 to 3 January 2021.
- Abigail Solomon-Godeau's 1991 essay highlighted critics' oversight of Sherman's older female characters.
- The interview was originally published in the April 2009 issue of ArtReview.
Entities
Artists
- Cindy Sherman
- Abigail Solomon-Godeau
Institutions
- Fondation Louis Vuitton
- Sprüth Magers
- Metro Pictures
- ArtReview
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Berlin
- Germany
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States