The exhibition “Yasumasa Morimura and Cindy Sherman: Masquerades” at Hong Kong’s M+ museum brings together two of contemporary art’s most influential figures in conceptual photography. The showcase creates a striking dialogue between two masterful artists known for their elaborate, staged self-portraits and their exploration of identity, gender, and media representation.
Nearly 200 works are thoughtfully arranged across opposing walls in the Cissy Pui-Lai Pao and Shinichiro Watari Galleries, offering visitors a chance to compare and contrast the creative visions of Yasumasa Morimura and Cindy Sherman. Curated by Isabella Tam, the exhibition focuses on their earlier works, highlighting their uncanny similarities despite their different cultural and personal backgrounds.
Morimura, a Japanese male artist born in 1951, and Sherman, an American female artist born just three years later, both turned to self-portraiture in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Each artist embraced the performative nature of photography, drawing heavy inspiration from Hollywood’s silver screen and popular media.
As “master masqueraders,” both artists delve into themes of gender roles and societal expectations, particularly how mass media shapes perceptions of the “ideal woman.” Using photography as a tool for transformation, they blur the lines between subject and object, real and imaginary. In their works, identity becomes fluid, and the constructed nature of femininity and beauty is laid bare.
Sherman’s portraits, often unsettling and thought-provoking, reflect her exploration of visual tropes and stereotypes from film, fashion, and advertising. Her iconic “Untitled Film Stills” series reveals how cultural imagery influences the ways women are seen and understood.
Morimura, meanwhile, inserts himself into iconic works of art and media, reimagining familiar imagery through a cross-cultural lens. His transformations—whether embodying figures from classical paintings, pop culture, or historical photographs—challenge viewers to rethink the power dynamics embedded within visual representation.
By juxtaposing Sherman’s and Morimura’s works, the exhibition underscores their shared ability to “hack” the visual codes of popular culture while emphasizing their distinct approaches. Visitors are prompted to reflect on the construction of identity, the impact of mass media, and how images influence our perceptions of gender and self.
“Yasumasa Morimura and Cindy Sherman: Masquerades” invites viewers into an intimate dialogue between two artists who turned the camera inward, creating timeless works that question art, identity, and the culture of imagery.
READ MORE: