Cindy Sherman was born in Glenn Ridge, New Jersey, in 1954. She studied art at the State University of New York in Buffalo from 1972 to 1976. There she first devoted herself to painting, but ultimately switched to photography – the medium to which she has been true to this day. At that time she met Robert Longo, who became a decisive influence. Together with him she created a space for independent young artists. In the late 1970s she became well known with her photo series Untitled Film Stills, in which she slipped into the roles of B-movie actresses. It was important to her that the series not be perceived as self-portraits. In 1982 she showed work at documenta 7, and in the following year she received the Guggenheim scholarship. In the photo series History Paintings (1988–1990) Sherman assumed roles from archetypal paintings. Her work has become increasingly provocative. In such series as Sex Pictures and Broken Dolls Sherman has also integrated dolls and prostheses, no longer photographing herself alone. Her works can be seen in major museums, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Sherman lives and works in New York.
