Cindy raids the dressing-up box.

see images page one, page two, page three, page four

A solo show of 60 self-portrait-style photos may sound dull, but when the artist is mistress of disguise Cindy Sherman it’s anything but. Gaining attention in the late 70s with pictures that recreated the look of female characters in imaginary black-and-white movies, Sherman has continued to experiment with lighting, clothes and make-up to transform herself into generic male and female characters, onto whom the viewer can project their own stories.

In the history portraits she dons beards, sumptuous clothes and/or fake breasts in settings similar to old master paintings. In others she’s androgynous and brooding, in red shirt and sports shorts, or a sultry older woman smoking a fag in the shadows. In her newest work, Sherman has picked characters whose appearance is already reliant on the pan-stick and dressing-up box – clowns. Combining sinister girlie blonde bunches, painted yellow teeth and bulbous noses, even when smiling, these aren’t characters you’d invite round to entertain your kids. Helen Sumpter 13 June 03

Cindy Sherman is at the Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London W2, until 25 August. Admission free. Tel 020 7298 1515

useful link: www.serpentinegallery.org