Cindy Sherman (b. 1954) is an American photographer and film director from the New York City area, best known for her conceptual photograph portraits in which she is her own model, using herself as a vehicle for commentary on a variety of issues of the modern world: the role of the woman, the role of the artist, and others. It is through these ambiguous and eclectic photographs that Sherman has developed a distinct signature style. Through a number of different series of works, Sherman has raised challenging and important questions about the role and representation of women in society, the media and the nature of the creation of art. Her images are full of kitsch, gaudiness and high drama, succinctly calling attention to some of the absurdities of popular society and the affected personas it encourages.