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            Art is a form of expression for many people, and no one necessary has to identify as an artist for them to be part of the art world.  We use art to identify and invent who we are in the world. For many of us art is way of self-invention, and we use to represent ourselves through images. Throughout the semester selfie’s and identity became intertwined for me, and I was able to see myself through a different lens.

            Images, selfies specifically, help us represent who we are in different ways. If we take a look at Cindy Sherman she was constantly reevaluating who she was through different characters. In every selfie it was someone new, and someone she might have saw herself in. It was not necessarily who she was, but it was who she represented. In one series where the images where very dark, many of us could see the angry she was feeling in the art industry. It shows that who we are represents itself in the art work. Images are an outlet to show people what we are feeling, and what we stand for. Many choose to talk about the idea of the male gaze. For example, Orlan reconstructed her whole face in surgery as a work of art and a question of the male gaze. Male gaze has always been a topic, even in the Ways of seeing where he says that “men survey women before treating them” (Berger 46).

            The media plays a big factor in the way art is formed, especially in this day and age. There are so many social networks now that it is almost impossible not to find anything that suits everyone. Artist now use social media as a platform to get their artwork out there, and for many artists it works. In the Art of Self-Invention, it says that “we are in the era where impressions matter, and where reputations is both an asset and a liability” (Finkelstein 122). The media in general teaches us that we can be different and individual, and when we factor in artist and art that definitely applies. Some of my selfies were ones I later used for snapchat or Instagram. Just like the first selfie I had ever posted with the dog filter, which was on my snapchat. There are many artists with different patterns, techniques, idea, and styles and each of them represent who they are individually. It can be difficult to find the same artistry twice, which is amazing. Also, selfies are a huge platform on social media, and despite what older generation say, it is very artsy to post selfies. It self-expression in a whole new way.

            Culture is unquestionably an immense factor when it comes to art and identity. If we look at the different paintings through time and the different cultures they were placed in, then we can see the difference, between them. Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist, selfies and paintings showed her love for her culture and her support for political causes. While an artist in Europe took a different turn by using the idea of the male gaze and beauty for their art. Identity shapes who we are, and culture is a huge part of our identity. Many artists only use their cultural background to make their images. One of my selfies was of me lying down on my prayer rug, wearing a Palestinian scarf. The scarf is a huge part of my culture and my identity, and without them, then nothing would make sense.

            Images will always define us in this new time of technology, and which images we share says a lot about who we are. I had many more pictures of my surgery, but I choose to only share of my arm and the inside of my stomach. This is because I am more private about my surgery, but not so much that I am not willing to share about it. If we think about the different artist who later died and many more works were discovered, then does that not say something about them? It brings the question as to why some were released and others were not. It also says a lot of who they are and how much they want to give away for the world. Even Joanne Finkelstein said that the “art and real life are both fictional accounts of each other, and we variously play the spectator and artist with various degrees of enjoyment” (11).

Finkelstein, Joanne. The Art of Self Invention: Image and Identity in Popular Visual Culture.                                London: I.B. Tauris, 2007. Print.

Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. London, England: British Broadcasting Corporation, 1973. Print.