Photo Opportunities: Contemporary Photographers Cindy Sherman and JEFF Wall as Models for Artistic and Teaching Identities

Abstract

A quick review of images on MySpace“, personal web pages, and dormitory walls reveals student constructed identities enthusiastically exhibited in public space. No longer glued black-and-white images on a static page, contemporary photography in art and in everyday life is evolving as quickly as the next digital innovation. This article describes an art unit taught to preservice art teachers that incorporates contemporary narrative photography as a lens to critically review mass media, personal role models, and art production. The preservice teachers examined photographic content, recalled familiar images of their childhood, participated in a video event, and critically examined their awareness of personal images. Art teachers are searching for instructional content that links student understanding with contemporary artists, and while this article describes an all-female preservice classroom, the unit provides possibilities for both genders as well as for middle and high school students.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Emma Gillespie Perkins

Emma Gillespie Perkins is Associate Professor of Art, Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky. E-mail: [email protected].

Ann Andaloro

Ann Andaloro is Assistant Professor of Mass Communications at Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky. E-mail: [email protected].