Laurie Simmons

Laurie Simmons

BornNationalityBased In
1949AmericanNew York City
Biography

Laurie Simmons is a photographer and filmmaker who unearths cultural restrictions within patriarchal, capitalist society. In the 1970s, Simmons began photographing uncanny domestic scenes of dolls in doll houses. Cropped in a cinematic fashion, the figures would lay bountiful meals on the table or tidy messy interiors, all whilst maintaining perfect hair dos, creaseless dresses and trim figures. Building on Simmons’s own upbringing in post-war suburban America, these stylised images exposed the artificiality of heightened gender stereotypes that proliferated in this period. During this era, Simmons became associated with The Pictures Generation and other artists such as Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger and Louise Lawler who were similarly using photography and image manipulation to lay bare the violence of cultural tropes. Simmons’s Walking Objects (1987-1991) series, tackled sexism and its entanglement with consumerism. In these surreal photos, inanimate objects such as globes, toilets and guns strutted and danced around, posing with toned legs in black stilettos. Referencing the loss of agency in capitalist society, these works heighten the bleak realities of consumer-oriented society. Simmons continues to make inquisitive, surreal films and photographic series which digest the intricacies of contemporary gender representation. ...

Selected Artworks
Toy Watch
Laurie Simmons
Toy Watch, 1976
20.3 x 29.2cm
Toy Clock
Laurie Simmons
Toy Clock, 1976
20.3 x 29.2 x 8.3cm
Birthday Cake
Laurie Simmons
Birthday Cake, 1984
152.4 x 101.6cm
Aztec Crevice
Laurie Simmons
Aztec Crevice, 1984
152.4 x 101.6cm
The Love Doll / Day 14 (Candy)
Laurie Simmons
The Love Doll / Day 14 (Candy), 2010
177.8 x 119.4cm
Bathing Suit
Laurie Simmons
Bathing Suit, 1984
152.4 x 101.6cm
Blonde/Acqua Sweater/Dog
Laurie Simmons
Blonde/Acqua Sweater/Dog, 2014
73 x 50.8cm
Blonde/Pink Dress/Standing Corner
Laurie Simmons
Blonde/Pink Dress/Standing Corner, 2014
177.8 x 121.9cm
Blue Hair/Red Dress/Green Room/Arms Up
Laurie Simmons
Blue Hair/Red Dress/Green Room/Arms Up, 2014
177.8 x 121.9cm
Brothers/ Hay
Laurie Simmons
Brothers/ Hay, 1979
33 x 49.5cm
Country Road
Laurie Simmons
Country Road, 1984
152.4 x 101.6cm
Fake Fashion/ZG Magazine Cover
Laurie Simmons
Fake Fashion/ZG Magazine Cover, 1984
41.9 x 27.9cm
Fuzzy Pink Dress
Laurie Simmons
Fuzzy Pink Dress, 1984
152.4 x 101.6cm
Horizontal Man/ Woman/ Horse
Laurie Simmons
Horizontal Man/ Woman/ Horse, 1979
33 x 49.5cm
Houndstooth Checked Coat in Black and White Room
Laurie Simmons
Houndstooth Checked Coat in Black and White Room, 1984
152.4 x 101.6cm
Portrait of Jimmy DeSana (Donald Duck Hat)
Laurie Simmons
Portrait of Jimmy DeSana (Donald Duck Hat), 1978
35.6 x 27.9cm
Purple Woman / Gray Chair / Green Rug / Painting
Laurie Simmons
Purple Woman / Gray Chair / Green Rug / Painting, 1978
12.7 x 8.9cm
Several Hats in Italy
Laurie Simmons
Several Hats in Italy, 1984
152.4 x 101.6cm
The Love Doll / Day 26 (Shoes)
Laurie Simmons
The Love Doll / Day 26 (Shoes), 2010
177.8 x 133.4cm
The Love Doll / Day 31 (Geisha)
Laurie Simmons
The Love Doll / Day 31 (Geisha), 2011
177.8 x 133.4cm
The Love Doll/Day 32 (Blue Geisha Close-up)
Laurie Simmons
The Love Doll/Day 32 (Blue Geisha Close-up), 2011
76.2 x 101.6cm
Tourism: Moonwalk Apollo II Mission
Laurie Simmons
Tourism: Moonwalk Apollo II Mission, 1984
101.6 x 152cm
Walking Glove
Laurie Simmons
Walking Glove, 1991
213.4 x 121.9cm
Yellow and Green Teen Room
Laurie Simmons
Yellow and Green Teen Room, 1983
88.9 x 137.2cm
Gallery Representation
Biennals
Gwangju Biennial2010 - Gwangju
The Biennale of Sydney1986 - Sydney
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