How does Cindy Sherman create her work?

Cindy Sherman works in series, typically photographing herself in a range of costumes. To create her photographs, Sherman shoots alone in her studio, assuming multiple roles as author, director, make-up artist, hairstylist, wardrobe mistress, and model.

Cindy Sherman has described the process of applying makeup as a form of self-expression and a way to create different characters for her photographs. Sherman’s photographs challenge the representation of women and subvert the visual shorthand we use to classify the world around us.

Following her graduation from SUNY in 1976, Cindy Sherman began work on Untitled Film Stills (1977–80), one of her best-known series. Cindy Sherman and David Byrne were members of Portugal’s Estoril Film Festival’s jury in 2009.

Cindy Sherman ventured into the fashion industry with designs for Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Marc Jacobs. Cindy Sherman created photographs for an editorial in Harper’s Bazaar in 1993.

In 2010, Cindy Sherman collaborated with Anna Hu on a design for a piece of jewelry. Cindy Sherman made a brief appearance in John Waters’ movie Pecker.