Photography, Story Telling & The Art of Cindy Sherman

Post contributed by Jocelyne Adkins, Program Director

Cindy Sherman is an artist who transforms herself into hundreds of characters, from clowns to school girls to housewives. She uses props and sets and creates mini-dramas in which she is the star and then photographs herself to document each new persona.

To set the stage for our project, we discussed why children enjoy playing dress up and who they become when they dress up. We also discussed why Sherman might want to dress up as someone else and considered how photography can be used to tell a story. 

Leila, Mikel, Emily & Norah: in character, rainy day scene

For the project, students selected from a group of garments and supplies (including face paint) to create a new persona. Students then illustrated a background scene for their character/characters on a large sheet of paper. The first seven photos below show the complete the project and provide a catalyst for continued storytelling. The photos following these show the students' process, from character development to creating a background scene/setting. This was an incredible amount of fun! If you ever need a rainy day activity to do with your child/children, this may be a top contender : )

Leila, Mikel, Emily & Norah: in character, rainy day scene

Leila and Emily: in character, rainy day scene

Dexter: in character, outer space scene

Emory: in character, rainy day scene

Emory: in character with rainy day scene

Ben, Xavier & Joseph: in character, restaurant theme

Andrew, Xantal & Cassie: in character, outdoor scene

Xantal developing outdoor scene

Caleb in costume

Andrew developing outdoor scene

Xavier, in costume developing restaurant scene

Dallis, in costume

Joseph, in costume

Laila, Andrew & Xantal in costume

students creating their background scenes

Andrew, Xantal & Cassie creating their background scene

Xavier, Ben (behind Xavier) and Joseph creating their background scene

Ms. Hartline, assisting Ben with his transformation into character

Leila, "in character"

Mikel and Emily working on their background scene 

 Dexter with Ms. Jenkins creating an outer space background scene