Cindy Sherman Reconsiders Face Value at Hauser & Wirth Menorca

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On the sunlit island of Menorca, Hauser & Wirth presents Cindy Sherman‘s highly anticipated solo exhibition in Spain, titled “The Women“. This display, open until October 26, delves into the artist’s four-decade exploration of femininity, fame, and the shattered reflection of identity. It offers a smorgasbord of diverse characters, all crafted by Sherman herself.

Similar to Clare Booth Luce’s 1936 Broadway play titled “The Women,” Sherman’s play “The Women” offers a sharp depiction of female friendships, exploring how her characters perceive themselves and are perceived by the world. This work investigates the roles women are expected to fulfill, the images they embody, and the various gazes that influence their self-image, challenging traditional gender dynamics within the art form in an unabashedly bold manner, reflecting on the concept of self-portraiture.

The exhibition showcases the evolution of Sherman’s artwork, from initial projects like “Bus Riders” and “Murder Mystery” (1976), to her groundbreaking “Untitled Film Stills” (1977–1980) and subsequent series such as “Ominous Landscapes” (2010). This body of work demonstrates Sherman’s uncanny ability to grasp visual identity trends throughout different periods. Her earlier works satirize mid-century cinema and media stereotypes, while her later images delve into themes of luxury, aging, and digital illusion, consistently critiquing the performative nature of identity—its illusions, expectations, and ever-changing glamour.

In today’s world where we construct and share our identities through digital platforms, Sherman’s artwork seems strikingly visionary. Amidst this era of constant curation, her portraits appear as prophetic alarms, compelling us to ponder on what lies beneath the masks we wear.

Hauser & Wirth Menorca
Diseminado Illa del Rei, S/N, 07700,
Balearic Islands, Spain

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2025-07-07 21:55