DiversityBy: Colleen Turley

DiversityUp until this point in our readings

Western art has not been very accepting of anything other than the White Male. Now however, from 1970 to present, people of diverse ethnic backgrounds, are beginning to thrive in the art world! And not just their ethnicity focus, but also their ideas, approach, and styles.

Cindy ShermanCindy Sherman was a photographer born

in 1954, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey and became an artists celebrity during the

late twentieth century. Her representation of the role of women in

society was simply stunning. The idea of focusing on Women was starting to gain popularity and she grasped that aspect

perfectly.

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Cindy Sherman Shockingly, it wasn’t until Sherman reached college that she

began to have some intrigue in the arts. At first she was interested in painting, but soon realized that she couldn’t keep herself occupied—which is when she took up photography, with much enthusiasm.

The theme of Diversity relates to Sherman most indefinitely because she was one of the very important women artists who focused on Women which was c still fairly new.

 

Cindy ShermanUntitled created

in 2000. Color photo print.

This specific image caught my eye because it reminded me of the role of prostitutes. This woman not only has the physical appearance of what some would consider a prostitute, but also her eyes seem sad but also harsh—as though she’s lived a difficult but determined life. She seems very bold—depicted by her vibrant hair, what many would classify as scandalous make-up and piercings. This is just an example of the Diverse theme that Sherman follows (Women's Roles).

Cindy Sherman

Untitled Film Still #58 created in 1980 The reason Sherman titles all her works as “Untitled” is to show the viewer

that these images are not portraits. This isn’t about the person within the photo, it is about the role they are representing—a different approach than a lot of art before this time, which once again plays into how Sherman affected Art Diversity.

I personally love this photo. I find the woman strong and intelligent. The apartments or offices in the back demonstrate the setting for the era. The Scarf is also a lovely touch.

Cindy Sherman

Film still #10 is another black and white photo taken by Sherman that I found confusing. I wasn’t sure what type of role the woman was conveying. In my opinion this woman could represent the average woman with secrets. She seems as if she’s doing something mischievous. This like the photos before it ties into Diversity because it is demonstrating the lifestyle of a woman back in that time period. This is also diverse because like the photo before this one they are actually apart of movies!

Jean-Michel Basquiat Jean-Michel Basquiat was an

American artist born on December 22, 1960 who also resembles the theme of Diversity with his works and life-style. When he was a teenager he would graffiti buildings in New York City and began to use an alias of SAMO (Same Old Shit). It wasn’t long until his graffiti work starting to become more and more famous. Soon he was an artistic icon. He was even seen as a hero for younger artists, due to his young age and succession. Sadly he died August 12, 1988 from a drug overdose, but his work still lives on.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

His art is very strange to me. Mostly it seems to represent colonialism and its relation to African life, which also ties into Diversity because it’s a different ethnic related approach. His style is also very different, and in my point of view sometimes a little extreme. Although, I think that is generally what Basquiat was trying to get across.

Cabeza created in 1985This specific piece I chose to

show his style. Obviously he incorporates cultural emphasis on African affiliated art. The lines, and odd mixture of colors. This resembles Diversity because it is just so out there! This was different, and the fact that it was graffiti only supports the theme further.

Warrior created in 1981 in New York

This piece I loved! To be honest it made me think of an evil Walle. Diversity was apparent in the use of technology. The robot in the middle makes the piece focus on machinery—which was newer to the world—as far as robots go—yet it also relates to history and possibly war due to the sword in the robots right hand.

Jean-Michel BasquiatAnthony Clarke 1985 This piece I also liked

because it shows how an artist can be diverse in his own art. This photo, although it has the same style, has a different tone.

In my opinion a lot of Basquiat’s works rotate around the idea of racism. In this photo he seems to be behind bars, and less fortunate than possibly a white man.

Bibliography "Biography." CindySherman.com. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Nov

2011.

"Jean-Michel Basquiat." EGo Design.CA. N.p., September 5, 2011. Web. 12 Nov 2011.

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