She
Lorna Simpson
(American, born in 1960)
1992
Medium/TechniquePhotograph, dye-diffusion photographs (Polaroid prints), and plaque
Dimensions29 x 85 1/4 inches (73.6 x 216.5 cm)
Credit LineEllen Kelleran Gardner Fund
Accession number1992.204a-e
On View
Not on viewClassificationsPhotographs
Collections
Simpson’s faceless portraits undermine traditional notions of portraiture. They also raise questions about gender: the work’s title and the plaque above the photographs may declare the subject is “female,” but the tailored suit, hand gestures, and body language may suggest the opposite. Together, these details confront how easily one might define identity, race, or sexual orientation through stereotypical notions. In this instance, do we place more trust in the word or the image?
"She" examines how everyday language and imagery reproduces misconceptions and prejudices concerning race and gender. The head of the figure has been cropped out of the photograph, contributing to the ambiguity of the figure's gender, as well as conveying a critique on the social invisibility of African American women. Simpson's photo-text work investigates the social and political nature of the body and explores the role of costume in the construction of identity.
Provenance1992, consigned by Josh Baer Gallery, New York, to Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Chicago; 1992, sold by Rhona Hoffman Gallery to the MFA. (Accession Date: May 26, 1992)
CopyrightReproduced with permission.
