Be[Identity]

Each one of us is unique due to our different backgrounds. Many artists explore their identities, asking us to explore our own unique identities and selves as well. Our feelings, or emotions, are the expression of what is going on inside us.  Artists often use emotion to ask us to look carefully at ourselves.

Kehinde Wiley. Egyptian Landscape with Setting Sun. 2008.

Cindy Sherman. Untitled Film Still No. 10. 1978.Gelatin-silver print. 7 3/8 x 9 7/16 in. Courtesy of the artist and Metro Pictures Gallery, New York, NY. All rights reserved.

Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman photographs herself in made-up settings, suggesting stories of which she is a part. The stories are often unclear and confusing. She uses body language (the way someone sits, walks, stands) to communicate her feelings and the mood in the photograph.

Cindy Sherman. Untitled Film Still #3. 1977

Cindy Sherman. Untitled Film Still #21. 1978.

Cindy Sherman. Untitled Film Still #58. 1978.

Kelli Connell. “Giggle” from Double-life series. 2002.

Digital color photography. 36 x 48 in. © 2002 Kelli Connell, courtesy of the artist and Barry Whistler Gallery, Dallas, TX. All rights reserved.

Kelli Connell

Kelli Connell creates her self-portraits

by digitally replicating her

image. Her work asks questions

about who we are, how we think about gender

roles and what makes closeness between people.

Kelli Connell. Brickhaus Café. 2002

Kelli Connell. “Daydream.” 2002.

Kelli Connell. 4th of July. 2005.

Kelli Connell. Windowsill. 2006.

Kehinde Wiley. Equestrian Painting of the Duke of Lerma. 2005.

Oil on canvas. 9 x 9 ft. © Kehinde Wiley, courtesy of the artist. All rights reserved.

Kehinde Wiley

Kehinde Wiley’s paintings blend traditional and

contemporary modes of representation. While

referencing the work of master painters such as Titian and Ingres, Wiley

creates a fusion of period styles, ranging

from French rococo and West African textile

design to urban hip-hop.

Kehinde Wiley. George, Lord Digby and William, Lord Russell. 2007.

Kehinde Wiley. Prince Tomosso Francesco of Savoy-Carignano. 2005.

Kehinde Wiley. Le Roi a La Chasse. 2006.

Kehinde Wiley. Unity Painting. 2010.

Trenton Doyle Hancock. Studio Floor Encounter with Vegans 5. 2002.Graphite and acrylic on paper. 31 x 31.25 in.Courtesy of the artist and Dunn and Brown Contemporary, Dallas, Texas.

Trenton Doyle Hancock

Trenton Doyle Hancock is an African-American artist from

Texas that creates characters based on different parts of

his personality. Torpedo Boy is one of his characters who

is an overly self-confident, super-hero. He is strong and powerful, yet sometimes his arrogance backfires on him

and makes him unable to perform his super-hero

duties.

Trenton Doyle Hancock. You Are a LIAR and the Truth is NOT in You. 2010.

Trenton Doyle Hancock. Mold. 2010.

Trenton Doyle Hancock. Descension and Dissension. 2008.

Trenton Doyle Hancock. Vegan Arm. 2006.

Trenton Doyle Hancock. Sesom and Painter’s Duet. Production still from Ballet Austin's Cult of Color: Call to Color. 2008.