Cindy Sherman (American, b. 1954) Untitled #117, 1983 Color cibachrome print Gift of James H. and Frances R. Allen 2002.45
In Untitled #117, Cindy Sherman satirizes and challenges
standards and stereotypes of the fashion industry. As a part of
her larger collection, Untitled Fashion Series, Sherman creates
images that are frightening and toy with what it means to be
accepted as beautiful by society. This piece redefines the term
“woman artist” as Sherman places herself within the
photograph but disguises her identity through costume and
makeup. By leaving the work untitled, Sherman’s true identity
becomes lost in that of a nameless woman. Her identity as
both a woman and an artist merge into one. This creates a
clash between identities and a tension between whether
Sherman is to be viewed as a woman or as an artist.