Artist Cindy Sherman's Latest Exhibition Features Chanel, Creepiness

Cindy Sherman is everywhere and nowhere these days. Confusing, right? Well, the point being that the artist--whom many exalt as one of the most influential of this century--has currently taken over New York's MoMA for an exhaustive retrospective of her signature "self-portraits." Sherman, however, eschews the notion that the images are reflections of her, but different personas she's created over time. So while anyone willing to pay the fee and battle the crowds is welcome to see walls plastered with her likeness, the real Sherman remains elusive. Despite dedicating most of her career to starring in her photographs, Sherman's true self is mostly unknown.
Overlapping with the review of her work thus far is a new series of portraits, which were revealed over the weekend at Metro Picture Gallery in Manhattan. The new series is of Sherman wearing what many consider the sartorial embodiment of affluent society: clothing from the French maison Chanel. Yet Sherman goes for the gut, yet again, by framing the opulent apparel with sinister trimmings, drastically changing the mood of fashions. Sherman dons a long, witchy wig in one picture, staring out with a menacing gaze from the canvas. Another shows her, arms folder across her torso and looking sullenly sidward, with ruddy, sloppy make-up and hair. The artist was given full access to the brand's archives and, as is her wont, readjusted preconceived notions with a little help from her trusty trio of lights, camera, and action.

"Cindy Sherman" will be on display through June 9th at Metro Picture Gallery, 519 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011.