Untitled Film Still #6 1977

This black and white photograph is one of Cindy Sherman's 'Untitled Film Still' series, and it's like a movie scene frozen in time. What strikes me is Sherman’s creation of an entire mise-en-scène from scratch. She not only directs but also embodies the character. I can imagine her setting up the lights, adjusting the props, and then slipping into this role. There's something about the way she’s gazing upwards. What is she thinking? Is it about the role she is playing, the constructed nature of identity, or even what other artists may think of it? You can tell she has considered every detail—from the angle of her head to the subtle use of light and shadow. It's this attention that elevates the work beyond a simple portrait, which echoes the concerns of other artists I know. I often find inspiration in my peers’ practice, the way they handle materials or approach a subject, because we’re all in this giant conversation together.