Cindy Sherman

This picture is called Untitled Film Still #43. This image was taken in 1977 starring Cindy Sherman. I chose this image because it stood out to me the most. As I looked at her in this image, I got a feeling of curiosity and wonder although everything around her still appeared to be so normal. I feel as though in reality a lot of people miss the beauty in things that we are able to see from day to day. We get so consumed with  what we have to do and what others are able to experience that we take for granted what is right in front of us. It is true when they say the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Cindy Sherman

I picked this photograph of Cindy Sherman because it is very bold, unique, and colorful. I love her clown series and how she transforms herself completely so she is unrecognizable.

Cindy Sherman

This image is Untitled #413. The photograph of the clown utilizes extreme expression. You could evidently tell that the clown is frowning. The coat with Cindy's name gives ode the artist's presence and simultaneous absence in all her art work. The background is colorful and really brings the photograph to life. One could argue that the face is somewhat surprised if you take a longer look

Cindy Sherman

I chose this photograph untitled film still, 1978 because it captures real life emotion. Her face looks perplexed, unsure of what to do. Either be angry shown by her right hand grabbing onto the bedding or be sad captured by the tissue in the left hand. The best part of the whole photograph is the pillow with what looks like to be a dog and the light coming though the window possibly symbolizing hope.

Cindy MAC

This photograph of Cindy Sherman is a collaboration with MAC make up products. I think this is really cool because I have never seen something like this done before. She is photographed using only MAC products and that proves that her artwork is not only for pleasure but for advertising as well. I think she did a pretty good job and although the make up is over the top, it goes along with MAC's "out of the box" thinking when it comes to make up.

Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman uses herself as the objective of her works but by using makeup, props, and a green screen is able to recreate herself in a multitude of ways. Most of her works use female figures as the subject, but she does have other works that involve her recreating men and clowns. I chose this work because of how deity she makes herself look. Many of hew works involve high status, aristocratic like women. This one does the same thing, but it looks a little less aggressive or pompous because of the white gown and the white gloves, it almost makes the subject look sweet and noble rather than intimidating. The background of what seems also aids by giving the work as a whole a smooth relaxing feel.

Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is a photographer and film director from New Jersey.  She is known for her contemporary art and conceptual portraits.  This portrait was made in 1989 and is called untitled #209.  This portrait is an Italian Renaissance-style portrait, in which Sherman takes on the persona of Mona Lisa.  I like this piece because it reminds me of the original Mona Lisa painting without being an exact replica of it.  I like how she was able to give the same feeling as a painting from the time without actually copying a previous portrait.

Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman created this portrait and I am amazed by it.  I love how she can transform herself into all these different characters.  This portrait is of an older woman who looks very prestigious and she is well dressed with expensive looking jewelry such as the pearl necklace and the big earrings.  Her facial expression also gives off the impression that she is a snotty, conceited person who is concerned with her image and how she is presented.  The background, which Sherman revealed is added last, helps complete the piece.  The background of what looks like it is part of a expensive estate ties the whole portrait together.  Cindy Sherman is now one of my favorite artists that i have been exposed to during this class. 

Cindy Sherman

This piece of artwork by Cindy Sherman is named Untitled #137. This picture was made in 1984. Sherman highlights a period in the woman’s life where she looks troubled and unhappy. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and this photograph is a perfect explanation for it. The viewer isn’t sure on why the woman in the picture looks unhappy. I like this picture because at one point in a person’s life, he or she is going to be unhappy. Also, I thought it was genius that Sherman was able to capture a picture like this. Sherman really knows how to make the picture feel real. 

Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is an American photographer and film director. She is best known for her conceptual portraits. This picture is from her Balenciaga series. Where she posed as various characters and slipped on a series of looks by Balenciaga. She posed as characters like, the fashion victim; the aging doyenne; the delirious clubber. Sherman says "It was inspired by the idea of party photos seen so often in magazines where people, desperate to show off their status and connections, excitedly pose to have their picture taken with larger-than-life-sized smiles and personalities". I liked this photograph because it honestly just reminded me of some crazy lady at a party. I love the big glasses and the big coat. I really love how Cindy Sherman can just transform into so many characters and make them feel so real to the audience.

Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is one of the most influential artists in contemporary art. Throughout her career, she presented a provocative construction of different identities based off of movies, TV, magazines, internet and art history.  She worked as her own model capturing herself in different personas.  This work is called ''Untitled Film Still #14'' and was made in 1978. During 1977-1980, she took black and white pictures that feature herself in stereotypical Hollywood & European female roles from the 1950s-1960s. I like this picture because when I first saw it, I understood it immediately. I feel like it grasps the concept that a picture is worth a thousand words. I think it takes great artistry to capture an idea in one picture.

Cindy Sherman

This piece by Cindy Sherman is Untitled #13 1979 from her Film Still series. This series is made up of black and white pictures in which Sherman places herself as an unnamed actress in a variety of foreign Hollywood movies. She was very much influenced by the European 50s look, where the women usually had a blank and still look on their faces. I like this piece, because it seems as she portrays a young woman next to set of books in a library as if the book she is picking up is a mystery. Her look can be portrayed as if she is not supposed to be in that section or hiding from someone.

Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman poses as a sad clown for this photography. Sherman changes her identity in each portrait to tell a story. She changes her look by makeup and costumes to make he viewer really look into the picture and try to understand what is really going on. I picked this photo because it is so creepy but interesting at the same time. She wants the viewer to experience humor, sadness and confusion at the same time when they are looking at the picture. 

Cindy Sherman

This is a portrait called, “Untitled #209”, and it is from Cindy Sherman’s “History Portrait Series”. This portrait shows Sherman taking the persona of the Mona Lisa, in an Italian Renaissance style portrait.  She is portraying one of the most famous paintings, Sherman made it her own original work and wanted to ensure distance between the painting and her. Sherman wants the viewers to rethink the familiarity with the original and question how its conventions depict continue to condition the way we do.

Cindy Sherman

I found this picture of Cindy Sherman to be very humorous. It is titled Mrs Claus and was photographed in 1990. To me, it looks like she was caught eating cookies and she wanted to be photographed with the expression of being "caught red handed" I think that the make up (especially her lips), the wig, and the outfit were all done very well. She even made it a point to have the cookie crumbs on her outfit. Also there is an empty glass of what could be thought to have been milk on the table next to her.  She definitely puts her all in her photos, not missing a single detail, and I believe it truly showed.

Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is a film director and contemporary artist who is known for her conceptual portraits. I think this photo was interesting because it's not completely clear what context she's in. Her face looks like she's afraid but you don't know what she's afraid of. She looks like she's been abused, or maybe she just had an epiphany of some sort. It also looks like it could be still from a "Nightmare on Elm Street" movie. I definitely think a lot of her pieces are pretty creepy because she's trying to be someone else, I'm not really a fan after looking at her pieces. This is really the only one I liked because her emotion seems believable.

Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is known as one of the most influential people of contemporary art. She is an American photographer and film director from New Jersey who is best known for her conceptual portraits. This image of the four clown is called Untitled #425. It was made in 2004. Sherman began using technology and products like a 'green screen' to help her create some of her works. I find this image a bit disturbing for some reason. It kind of creeps me out because all of the clowns are looking directly at you. Especially the clown in the top left. The one of the right looks a bit happier, but I can almost picture the creepy laugh that he's making. I am not sure if younger children would be a fan of this piece.

Cindy Sherman

This picture is called "Untitled #16," and was created in 1978. I love the angle of this photo and the fact that it reminds me of Breakfast at Tiffany's. The expression she has on her face in in between actions, as Cindy described in her interview with Art21. This picture makes me feel as if this woman is in charge of the conversation, as if she has some importance. I also feel like the shot is slightly tilted, which keeps the eye moving.

Cindy Sherman

Untitled #466 by Cindy Sherman

This picture is meant to depict a wealthy woman in Sherman's "Society Portraits,"series presented in 2008. Sherman meant to photograph herself as a stereotypical older wealthy women. I like this photograph particularly because of the look she's giving the camera. Her body language and pose makes me feel like she's giving a condescending look toward the viewer, symbolizing her idea that she is far above my status. I appreciate the specificity of the clothing to match the background, giving the setting of a warm climate and building full of rich architecture. I feel like Cindy Sherman really captured the essence of societal stereotypes. 

Jack Whitten

This work is called Untitled by Jack Whitten made in 1964. Jack is known for his experimentation with different painting materials such as eggshells, copper and styrofoam. He is known for  creating unique textures and cultural references. This work is pastel on paper and i found it interesting because at first glance you can see these two figures staring at you immediately. I think it is intriguing that the black and orange outline is what really details the faces. He also has another artwork called untitled which follows the same idea with the faces but he used brighter colors.

Jack Whitten

This painting by Jack Whitten looks amazing. It reminds me of one of the great pyramids of Egypt. I love the mix of colors and how the pyramid is completely dark. I am also a huge fan of the art in front of the pyramid. It almost looks like the images are egyptians dancing. Overall, the image looks astounding and I am eager to view more like it. 

jack whitten

The painting is by Jack Whitten who is an African American artist from the south, who moved to New York. The painting is untitled. I like this painting because it shows to faces but it is very abstract. I like all the colors that were used and they he kind of hid the faces in the painting. I like the way he used the colors. Nothing is consistent throughout the image. I really like how it pops.

Jack Whitten

Jack Whitten completed this beautiful piece of artwork towards the end of his career in 2011.  This piece was painted with acrylic paint on a hollow-core door. Towards the end of his profession, he decided to broaden his creativity into the digital technology world. This piece above is title Apps for Obama which encapsulated Jack Whitten's vision of what President Barack Obama's iPad might consist of. I like this painting because you can see the detail and effort he placed in this painting to create each segment of this artwork. Also the color schemes are so perfect that it makes the painting look so real. 

Jack Whitten

This mosaic looks like something I would see under a microscope. This work is a memorial work made for an African American photographer Roy DeCarava. I really like the contrast between the black, white and gray. It is so amazing that this a collage painting. W

Jack Whitten

Black Monolith II  Homage to Ralph Ellison The Invisible Man by Jack Whitten. He made this in 1994. This is made of molasses, copper, salt, coal ash, chocolate, onion, herbs, rust, eggshell, razor blade. The reason i liked this piece of work is because it is made of so many cool things. To me the piece of art looks like a persons silhouette but if you keep looking at it you can imagine so many more things. As i was looking through his work i really loved most of it!

Garden in Bessemer

This oil canvas painting is titled Garden in Bessemer VI by Jack Whitten and was created in the year 1968. I really love the vivid colors used in this painting and think it looks like organized chaos. It has so much going on and together creates a nice piece of artwork. If you look up close you can identify faces within the painting.

Jack Whitten

Self Portrait 1 was the first self portrait created by Jack Whitten in 2014.  As you an see, it isn't like typical self portraits as the outline is in the shape of a head but it is not filled with facial characteristics.  Inside you can see small abstract shapes and it is contrasted by a black background.  By looking at this, you can see that it is not obvious that it is a human form. That makes many people wonder what was going through Whitten's head in 2014 when this piece was created.  I personally love how it is in the shape of a head but with no facial characteristics, it adds a dark element to the panting and the back background adds to that effect.

Jack Whitten

This piece is called "Time's Dilemma," by Jack Whitten. When I first saw this piece, it reminded me of the subway. I thought the way Whitten placed and colored the tiles and larger stone-looking pieces made the piece really dynamic. The placement of aspects in this piece are really aesthetically pleasing. As I read more about this piece I realized that these tiles were made of acrylic paint and the "stone-like" pieces were meant to mimic pieces of a shipwreck. That made me see the piece like an ocean with pieces floating in it. The black upper portion turns in to a dark night sky when I think of the piece like this. I think it's so cool that Whitten made a piece that can look like so many things at once.

Jack Whitten

Jack Whitten was an African-American artist who moved to New York in 1960.  Whitten worked during a time where abstract art was popular.  This piece by Whitten is called Satori which is a Buddhist term meaning enlightenment.  In Buddhism satori is a state of having spiritual knowledge and awareness, which frees the person from the rebirth cycle.  Interestingly, Whitten felt as though he was enlightened after creating this piece and that it was a gift from him to the cosmos.  In addition this was also one of his first works that moved to more a geometrical abstract art.  This was also one of his first paintings that used acrylic paint instead of oils.  I like this piece because of the different shapes Whitten used.  In addition there seems to be a lot of motion in this painting which to me signifies some greater power bringing enlightenment.

Jack Whitten

I like this portrait because I like how it is a mix of all the colors. If you look closely, you can see faces and in the blue paint, you can see a dragon as well. 

Jack Whitten

This Jack Whitten piece was one of his latest piece called Loop #42 (2012). Whitten was highly influenced by the Bauhaus and Abstract Expressionism from early on. But after meeting William de Kooning he decided to blend figuration and abstraction. Many of his series worked upon racial turmoil as he was an African American from the south. I enjoy this painting because of its simplicity yet complexity behind it. He used Afro combs and homemade rakes to create the lines called "Energy Fields" throughout the colorful vein.

Jack Whitten

Jack Whitten created "Space Flower #4" in 2006. I find his works interesting in that he uses more than one media for his works. For example, this work was created by using acrylic, pastel, and powdered Mylar on rice paper. If you zoom into it, the lines that form the shape of the flowers petals actually look like snakes to me, which I found pretty cool. Also, I am in love with the use of colors. The flower itself is dark, but the background is bright and cheerful.  

Jack Whitten

The name of this piece by Jack Whitten is called "Carlitta." The work was done in 1968 and he used pastel on paper. The drawing is a representation of abstract expressionism. The current price for the artwork is actually $12,000. I like this piece because it looks random but yet it seems to tell a story. The way he uses the pastel is incredible as he makes it look like paint in my opinion. The color choice also helps bring the art to life. 

Jack Whitten

Jack Whitten was a young African-American artist who originally grew up in the south, and came to New York in 1960. During this time, abstract art was greatly popular. As with this painting, everything about it to me says "abstract". When you first look at the image, it is almost hard to know where to first settle your eyes. For me, I am first drawn to the orange face in the middle of the painting. As I begin to look around the image, you can see the many other formed faces in the art, and well as some other random shapes and objects. I actually like this piece by Whitten because it is almost like he was just painting whatever came to his mind. It doesn't seem like there is much order to it. Also, I like the way that he used many different colors to make everything pop out in its own way.

Jack Whitten

I became very intrigued by Whitten's piece, "Martin Luther King's Garden." I love the different strokes and colors he incorporated in this work using acrylic paint. There is so much to look at and it has a lot of depth. This painting was inspired by Whitten's first hand experience with racism in America. While in college, Whitten became involved in protests and marches as a civil rights activist. Because of this shared background and belief system to Martin Luther King, the artist became inspired to portray the feelings, emotions, and events during the dark days of profound racism against African Americans in the United States. I think it is truly symbolic that so many colors are incorporated in this piece, demonstrating diversity, while also demonstrating unity by making all of the strokes connect.

Jack Whitten

"April's shark" painted by Jack Whitten was made with acrylic paint on a large canvas. Whittten used a process for which he would lay the canvas on the floor and drag a squeegee across to mix this different colors. The paint would be piled on as much as a quarter-inch thick. After the series of work he did he went to painting with oil. Even though acrylic drys faster. I love the different colors in this piece of art work.

Jack Whitten

These painting by Jack Whitten are called Mask of God I and II. Whitten painted these artworks in 1987 for Joseph Campbell. Whitten was inspired by Campbell’s four-book series, The Masks of God. This was the start of Jack Whitten’s collages in his memorial paintings.  Joseph Campbell was an American mythologist that had an interest in the human spirit. Both Whitten and Campbell are fascinated with encounters that go beyond the human mind. I like these paintings because when a person is looking at these paintings, they wonder what are they looking at, or how were these paintings made, or even what materials were used to make the paintings. Also, the paintings are very mysterious and unique

Jack Whitten

This painting by Jack Whitten is called Slip Zone. I thought this painting really stood out because the way it looks. It has an effect that looks like its a static television to me. This combination of colors is also different as well. The greens, brown, and tan complete each other even though they don't necessarily match and give the picture the appearance that it is textured. This painting was a new approach to painting because Whitten not only used large brushes, but he also used sticks, rakes, and African combs to create the surface's texture. 

Jack Whitten

9.11.01 by Jack Whitten

This collage, made from acrylic and plaster molds, is meant to use the pyramid found on the US dollar as the main subject. The collage 10 feet high and 20 feet long and was featured as an exhibit in the MoMA in 2007. This piece was made in response to the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001 and the incorporation of the dark, smoky mountain is to invoke discussion of the role that money plays in the these tragic events. The piece is interesting to me because it depicts, subtly, the darkness and sadness that overcame America during this tragic event. 

Jack Whitten

This a painting of Jack Whitten’s Chinese Sincerity. It was created in 1974, Jack Whitten was influenced by abstract expressionism and Bauhaus. I liked this painting because it play with color and lines. The color theme has referenced early Chinese painting. He used deep indigo, magenta and orange that references of traditional Chinese paintings.

Jack Whitten

Atopolis: For Édouard Glissant (2014)

Jack Whitten, who unfortunately passed away, started this style of unique collage artwork in the 1980s. In 2014, he created Atopolis: For Édouard Glissant. This was his largest piece to date. It was a 10-by-20-foot textured surface consisting of eight 62-inch square panels. This artwork references the ideas of Édouard Glissant, who died in 2011. Atopolis, in Greek, means "without place." This was a powerful concept for the African diaspora, Whitten wrote in his notes. He spoke about black identity not having a place in society, and he created this place through this artwork. What intrigued me about the artwork is the concept behind it, in which he addressed issues others were afraid to speak about.

David Hockney

This painting is called Beverly Hills Housewife by David Hockney. I this is was one of my favorite paintings that I saw from him because it is very simple but still has much depth to it. I like the details like the women's dress and the beach chair. From the painting you can almost see that she lives in a nice home but yet she's still alone in the painting. This seems ironic because people do say that although these women or "housewives" are well off because they're partner's do well financially, they are ultimately lonely since they don't have a job or hobby of their own. The women in this painting doesn't look like she's content with her life at all.

Jack Whitten

Jack Whitten was an American abstract painter who recently just passed away this January. This particular painting, called Chinese Sincerity, caught my eye because he incorporated my favorite colors into such a beautiful art piece. He played around with not only the colors but the lines, making it look like a wave form. It looks like he divided the painting into three cuts, dark blue with red, magenta, and dark blue again. The line that looks like an L also interested me but I could not find out what significance it had but it is abstract art so it may just be because he favored it. I researched that he studied Chinese paintings and that he chose these colors because they represent traditional Chinese colors.

David Hockney

This artwork is called Model with Unfinished Self Portrait. It is an oil on canvas and was made in 1977. I picked it because I like how sincere it looks; you can tell by how he detailed the man that he meant something to him.This painting also interested me because it made me want to find out who his inspiration was. It appears that David is in the background painting while his boyfriend at the time is sound asleep. 

David Hockney

This painting is called "The Sea at Malibu" and it is an oil painting created by David Hockney in 1988. I picked this painting because of its abstract appeal as well as the beautiful use of different shades of blue. The painting is almost monochromatic, in that most of it is done using blue hues. The color is what first caught my attention.

David Hockney

Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) by Hockey is a piece of work I find very interesting. When researching Hockney, I wanted to know more about the people in the piece. The man standing outside the pool is Hockney's ex-lover and muse Peter Schlesinger who was also an artist. To me, it seems as though Peter is unsure of the swimmer, possible symbolizing his uncertainty about Hockney. The swimmer seems sure as he is headed towards the edge of the pool to meet Peter. I liked how Hockey utilized great contrast in the pool as well as in the background of this piece. At first, it does not seem like a whole lot to look at, but once a second look has been taken, the details become more apparent and beautiful.

David Hockney

This painting/drawing is part of Hockney's "Yosemite Suite" series. The most amazing part of this series is that he made them on his iPad!!!! On the iPad you are able to use different size brush sizes, paint transparency, paint color in just a click of a button. It is so amazing how realistic this looks considering it being made on his iPad, the color choices feel so fresh and spring like.

A Bigger Splash

This painting by David Hockney is titled "A Bigger Splash." It depicts a Californian swimming pool from the late 1970s. Hockney was originally from London but moved to California after college and was amazed at how everybody owned a swimming pool. He was intrigued by the fact that the climate allowed the use of a swimming pool to be all year round, unlike in Britain where it would be far too cold for most of the year. I really like this painting and think he created the splash of water in a unique way. It seems like somebody just did a cannon ball off the diving board and was sinking to the bottom.

David Hockney

This piece of art created by David Hockney is titled "A Bigger Splash". It was created in 1967, and it is depicting a huge splash in a swimming pool in california. Hockney was in love with the environment of California and decided to move to Los Angeles. Between the years of 1964 and 1971, Hockney began to create numerous paintings of swimming pools, since almost every home in California had one. In every painting he desired to create a different representation of a splash in water. This particular painting caught my eye because of how bright it looked. I love the way Hockney depict the splash. It provides a lot of realism at the same time establishing originality as well. Hockney's work is quite magnificent and I am eager to see what else he has in store.