She is regarded as one of the leading figures of the Pictures Generation, a collective that includes distinguished artists such as Richard Prince, Louise Lawler, Sherrie Levine, and Robert Longo. This group emerged in the 1970s, responding to the dominant mass media landscape by employing humour and critique while appropriating imagery from advertising. In 1972, Sherman began her studies in the visual arts department at Buffalo State University, where she concentrated on painting. It was during this time that she started to explore themes that would later become central to her artistic persona: she dressed in various characters, utilizing clothing obtained from thrift stores. Her work aims to challenge mass media on gender norms. Sherman carefully crafts her photographs, controlling every aspect of the image, including makeup, costumes, lighting, and settings. Through her elaborate modifications, she encourages viewers to question societal norms and expectations, particularly those imposed on women. In a 1990 interview with The New York Times, she expressed, “I see myself as anonymous in my work. When I look at the photographs, I do not recognize myself; they do not function as self-portraits.”

Some of her Work

Image Analysis

Woman in the image has dark hair and wearing evening clothes, as if she’s about to go out. She is Holding her neck with a rather startled expression and her other hand is holding what seems to look like a knife. In the mirror we can see her back which exposes herself making herself vulnerable as people can see what she cannot. There is also a table in-between her and the photographer, potentially acting as a barrier which can also back up the point regarding the feeling of vulnerability.

Smoke that is seen in the mirror at the back suggests that someone else is present. We can make an assumption that this picture is based in her home as there is a picture of her sitting on the furniture in the background The aperture is more likely to be lower so that the audience can see the closer details.

Furthermore there could be a bruise on her arm which would explain her expression of discomfort and vulnerability.

In this image we get a full body shot and we get to see the back of her. This makes the subject seem very exposed.

She is criticising films as they portray women to be distressed at the time and seen to be helpless when in reality they are not