Early in my career, a critic said that I needed to "explain" the irony in my work, suggesting that I needed to add text next to the images to help people understand what I was trying to say. At first I was dismayed that I wasn't making work with a clear enough message. That's when I realized that that was the exact opposite of what I wanted to do - that I wasn't responsible for a misinterpretation of my work, that there should be some ambiguity to it. They either got it, or they didn't.
Cindy ShermanI think I always resented the fact that people thought I was trying to entertain them with my multifaceted, chameleonlike character changes. Although I liked doing that, I wasn't out to fool people and say 'Guess which one is me.'
Cindy ShermanI think people are more apt to believe photographs, especially if itโs something fantastic. Theyโre willing to be more gullible. Sometimes they want fantasy. Even if they know itโs fake they can believe anything. People are accustomed to being told what to believe in.
Cindy ShermanBelieving in oneโs own art becomes harder and harder when the public response grows fonder.
Cindy Sherman