Untitled D 1975

This is an Untitled black and white photograph by Cindy Sherman. Sherman's photographic series asks critical questions about the social construction of identity. In 1970s and 80s America, the visual codes of film and television held increasing sway over popular culture. Sherman recognized that these media often reinforce stereotypes, especially for women. This image appears to be of a young girl, styled with hair clips and a forced smile that could be read as the trappings of idealized innocence. What happens when a female artist like Sherman assumes complete control over the means of representation? We, as viewers, are forced to acknowledge that the image is a construct. Researching the history of portraiture, fashion photography, and film history of the late 20th century, we can begin to see the artist's subtle critique of institutional power. Ultimately, Sherman's work questions the very structures that produce meaning in art and life. It implies that identity is not innate, but rather a performance shaped by cultural expectations.