Annual Review 2016

Cindy Sherman is renowned for her mastery of masquerade — her own image is at the centre of an array of character studies created over decades. Sherman expands on contemporary society's fascination with aspiration, narcissism and celebrity, and explores the resulting emotional fragility. Featuring large-scale photographs made since 2000, the exhibition charted the artist's return as the central model in her works, for which she is also costume designer, make-up artist and photographer. The exhibition included two series made with fashion houses Balenciaga and Chanel, and an entirely new body of work shown for the first time outside New York. The exhibition was augmented with an Up Late series, two capacity-plus sessions of GOMA Talks, monthly Sundays with Cindy and the ‘In Character’ film program. CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT Alison Kubler has ‘A Fashionable Conversation’ with curator Ellie Buttrose / July 2016 / Photograph: Mark Sherwood Sampa the Great performs at Cindy Sherman Up Late / September 2016 / Photograph: Joe Ruckli Still from Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles 1975 / Director: Chantal Akerman / Image courtesy: Paradise Films Chairman’s Circle members International Education Services and guests at a ‘Cindy Sherman’ viewing / June 2016 / Photograph: Joe Ruckli CINDY SHERMAN 28 MAY – 3 OCTOBER 2016 GALLERY OF MODERN ART Supported again by ABC Radio National, GOMA Talks attracted its biggest crowds during ‘Cindy Sherman’. Journalist Van Badham, University of Sydney’s Dr Marian Baird and novelist Melissa Lucashenko talk ‘Feminism after the Revolution’. July 2016 / Photograph: Mark Sherwood ‘In Character’ was a curated program of films responding to the themes of Cindy Sherman’s work, bringing together female characters who challenge expectations. 22 ▼  REVIEW 2016 REVIEW 2016 ▼ 23 2016 IN REVIEW 2016 IN REVIEW