Sherrie Levine

Definition

Sherrie Levine is an American artist known for her work in appropriation art, where she challenges the notions of originality and authorship by recontextualizing existing artworks. Her practice often involves taking iconic images and presenting them as her own, raising questions about the role of the artist in a world saturated with visual culture. Levine's work is emblematic of broader discussions around appropriation, pastiche, and intertextuality in contemporary art.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sherrie Levine gained prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s as part of the postmodern art movement, challenging traditional ideas about authorship and authenticity.
2. One of her most famous works includes a series of photographs of Edward Weston’s nudes, which she rephotographed and presented as her own, emphasizing the idea that 'the original' can be questioned.
3. Levine's art often reflects feminist themes, questioning the male-dominated art world and highlighting the challenges female artists face regarding visibility and recognition.
4. She is associated with the Pictures Generation, a group of artists who utilized appropriation to critique consumer culture and media saturation.
5. Levine's approach has sparked debates about copyright laws and the ethics of borrowing images in contemporary art practices.

Review Questions

• How does Sherrie Levine's work exemplify the concept of appropriation in contemporary art?
  • Sherrie Levine's work exemplifies appropriation by taking established images and recontextualizing them, thereby questioning traditional notions of originality. By rephotographing iconic artworks, such as those by Edward Weston, Levine challenges viewers to reconsider the value assigned to authorship and authenticity in art. Her practice not only reclaims these images but also prompts discussions on how cultural meanings can shift when artwork is removed from its original context.
• In what ways does Sherrie Levine's art reflect feminist critiques within the postmodern art movement?
  • Sherrie Levine's art reflects feminist critiques by addressing the historical exclusion of women from the art narrative and challenging patriarchal structures within the art world. Her appropriation of male artists' works highlights the imbalance in representation while simultaneously asserting her presence as a female artist. By repurposing male-created imagery, Levine underscores how women's contributions have often been overlooked and invites viewers to engage with the complexities of gender in artistic discourse.
• Evaluate the impact of Sherrie Levine's approach to appropriated images on contemporary discussions around copyright and intellectual property.
  • Sherrie Levine's approach to appropriated images has significantly impacted contemporary discussions surrounding copyright and intellectual property rights. By claiming existing artworks as her own through rephotography, she raises critical questions about what constitutes ownership in a culture where visual information is constantly circulated. This has led to legal challenges and debates over fair use in art, influencing policies that govern how artists can borrow from existing works while balancing creative expression with legal restrictions.

Related terms

Appropriation:

The practice of taking existing artistic works or images and reusing them in a new context, often to comment on or critique the original.

Pastiche: A work that imitates the style of other works or artists, celebrating rather than mocking them; often used as a way to blend different influences into a new creation.

Intertextuality: The relationship between texts, where one text references or is influenced by another, highlighting how meaning is created through connections between works.