CINDY SHERMAN
2018-06-04Sherman’s current exhibition marks over three decades and seventeen exhibitions with Sprüth Magers. On view is her most recent body of work from 2016, which debuted in Europe at the Berlin gallery last year. Now, the show has been brought to the UK and includes several new and previously unseen works. In the large-scale colour portraits, the artist imagines herself as a cast of ‘grandes dames’ from the Golden Age of 1920s Hollywood cinema. Differing from Sherman’s earlier series, these actresses are presented outside of the filmic narrative, posing instead for what seem to be formal publicity shots. Despite their elaborate garb, coiffed hairdos and painted faces, the leading ladies are clearly in their twilight years, and the grave stoicism of their expressions gives way to instances of poignant vulnerability: fine lines emerge through caked-on make-up, and sinewy, aged hands seem at odds with the smooth polish of their owners’ faces. The actresses pose against digitally manipulated backgrounds that are suggestive of the film sets and backdrops of yesteryear. Skyscrapers, a busy café scene, manicured gardens and a classical landscape all feature within the series. One photograph created earlier this year, displays four actresses in different coloured tulle costumes. Seated together, they reference the historic popularity of sister acts in the entertainment industry.
Opposite – Untitled #477, 2008
Exhibition runs through to September 1st, 2018
Sprueth Magers
7 Grafton St
Mayfair
London W1S 4EJ
