Francesca Woodman is the first comprehensive survey of the artist’s brief but extraordinary career to be seen in North America. More than thirty years after her death, the moment is ripe for a historical reconsideration of her work and its reception. Woodman’s oeuvre represents a remarkably rich and singular exploration of the human body in space and of the genre of self-portraiture in particular.

Cindy Sherman. Untitled #466. 2008. Chromogenic color print, 8' 1 1/8 x 63 15/16" (246.7 x 162.4 cm).
The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Acquired through the generosity of Robert B. Menschel in honor of Jerry I. Speyer. © 2011 Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman (American, b. 1954) is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential artists in contemporary art. Throughout her career, she has presented a sustained, eloquent, and provocative exploration of the construction of contemporary identity and the nature of representation, drawn from the unlimited supply of images from movies, TV, magazines, the Internet, and art history. Working as her own model for more than 30 years, Sherman has captured herself in a range of guises and personas which are at turns amusing and disturbing, distasteful and affecting. To create her photographs, she assumes multiple roles of photographer, model, makeup artist, hairdresser, stylist, and wardrobe mistress. With an arsenal of wigs, costumes, makeup, prosthetics, and props, Sherman has deftly altered her physique and surroundings to create a myriad of intriguing tableaus and characters, from screen siren to clown to aging socialite.

BONNIE & CLYDE / backstage from POM on Vimeo.

Photography: Nathan Johnson.  Video: Patricia Martinez.

Smart Magna Photographer Nathan Johnson recently completed a job as the photographer for the new Broadway musical, Bonnie and Clyde, opening tomorrow, December 1, 2011, in New York City's Schoenfeld Theatre.  Nathan's photographs can be seen on billboards in Times Square, as well as in all other press and promotional materials for the show.  Below, Nathan shares about the experience: 

"In the Summer of this year, I had the great privilege of shooting all the materials for Bonnie and Clyde on Broadway.  I had seen the show before when it was making its out of town debut before coming to the Great White Way, and it is a killer show...Literally.  In my meetings with Serino Coyne, the brilliant advertising agency behind the design, we decided that we wanted the shots to really be about the two criminals, and make them larger than life.  They needed to be sexy, a little sweaty, and a little gritty and dark. 

NYCFotoWorks is quickly becoming the premiere professional networking source for professional and emerging visual artists.  This innovative company helps artists gain the exposure needed to maintain or launch a successful career.  Through Portfolio Reviews and Juried Shows, NYCFotoWorks brings the work of talented photographers and illustrators to the attention of editors, creative directors, art buyers, photo agents and galleries.  This year, Smart Magna will be participating as reviewers in the NYCFotoworks June Portfolio Review.

 “This is where professional connections for visual artists happen.”