Cindy Sherman and Jeff Koons Elected Honorary Royal Academicians

Jan 23, 2011
Frances Spiegel

Cindy Sherman - Nathaniel Paluga, 2009

The Royal Academy of Arts has recently announced the election of two new Honorary Royal Academicians - artist Jeff Koons and photographer Cindy Sherman.

The Royal Academy of Arts is governed by a body of eighty Royal Academicians. All members are resident in the UK and in practise as painters, sculptors, engravers, printmakers, draughtsmen and architects. Election of new members occurs annually with nominees being selected by existing Academicians. Elections can only take place when vacancies arise, either when existing members reach the age of 75 and become Senior Academicians, or through the death of a member.

Honorary Royal Academicians

In addition to regular members, honorary RAs are also elected. These are artists in practise, who are not resident in the United Kingdom. They receive the title 'Honorary RA', but do not vote, nor do they play any part in the running of the Academy. A maximum of two honorary members may be appointed each year.

Cindy Sherman

Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, USA, Cindy Sherman (b.1954) studied art at Buffalo State College from 1972-76, her main area of study being photography. Sherman is a most highly respected photographer, producing mainly photos of herself, often dressed up in wigs, hats and dresses, and playing a variety of different characters.

However, these images are not intended as self-portraits. The artist's distinctive photographs form a commentary on a number of issues, such as the role of women in modern-day society. Her inspiration comes from a wide variety of cultural sources including old films, television soaps and pulp magazines.

The artist's earlier work ranges from scenes of quiet reflection to provocative sensuality. In later photographs Sherman changes her style completely. A group of photos known as the Disasters and Fairy Tales series, shot between 1985 and 1989, shows some extremely disturbing scenes where Sherman is dressed to look scary and even deformed. Placed in strangely lit sets, with prosthetic limbs or doll's parts used as substitutes for her own body parts, she is shown surrounded by mold, vomit and other revolting substances. Sherman shows how she can find beauty in such unusual subject matter.

Cindy Sherman has exhibited in many of the world's major art galleries and museums including the Royal Academy GSK Contemporary – Aware: Art Fashion Identityfrom 2nd December 2010 to 30th January 2011.

Jeff Koons – Honorary Academician

Jeff Koons was born in 1955 in Pennsylvania, U.S.A., and is recognised as one of the 21st century's most adventurous sculptors. The artist, whose work explores society's obsession with sex and desire, race, gender, celebrity and media, is famous for large-scale public sculptures such as the floral sculpture Puppy, permanently on display at the Guggenheim, Bilbao.

Mr Koons is the recipient of some of the art world's most prestigious awards including the National Arts Club Medal of Honor and the Wollaston Award, Royal Academy of Art. President Jacques Chirac promoted Koons from Chevalier to Officier of the French Legion of Honor, for his continuing work developing and strengthening relations between the United States and France. Koons holds a Doctorate of Fine Arts, Honoris Causa, from the Corcoran in Washington D.C., (2002), and an Honorary Doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2008).

Works by Jeff Koons are held in the collections of many of the world's leading galleries and museums including CAPC Musee d'Art Contemporain, Bordeaux, France; Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain; Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin, Germany; Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, and Tate Gallery, London, England.

Jeff Koons the Post-Pop Superstar

Jeff Koons has recently been the subject of a book edited by Hans Werner Holzwarth, photographer and corporate designer. The publication, entitled Jeff Koons the Post-Pop Superstar is an extensive investigation of Koons' work.

Koons on Display

Jeff Koons' Moustache (2003) will be on display at High Museum of Art, Atlanta, until 29th May 2011. The piece forms part of an exhibition entitled Salvador Dali: The Late Work.

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