She
The French photographer Lise Sarfati’s latest series explores feminine identity in everyday life
French photographer Lise Sarfati‘s new series “She” captures a striking sense of melancholy in intense portraits shot over a span of four years between 2005 and 2009. To explore the ideas of duplicity and identity, the body of work focuses on four women in an American family, with sisters Sloane and Sasha at the center, styled in wigs and heavy makeup that often make it hard to tell them apart.
She opens today at London’s Brancolini Grimaldi gallery. As a part-time U.S. resident since 2003, Sarfati shot the series in four locations across California and Arizona. When it comes to choosing her subjects, Safarti says, “I like doubles, like mothers and daughters, or sisters or reflections. This represents my research into women’s identity… I am interested in fixing that instability.”
Beyond exploring the female persona, the series coaxes the viewer to consider social norms by juxtaposing the subjects’ tattoos and severe makeup with the banality of everyday life in America. Despite the seemingly bland settings, the images emanate with mystery, offering a vaguely haunting reminder that we never know what those around us are up to as we go about our own days.
All images courtesy of Brancolini Grimaldi. See more in the slideshow below.
She
3 February – 17 March 2012
Brancolini Grimaldi
43-44 Albemarle Street
London W1S 4JJ
