Laurie Simmons

Laurie Simmons, born on October 3, 1949, in Far Rockaway, New York, is an American photographer and filmmaker known for her staged images of dolls, ventriloquist dummies, and miniature objects, which explore themes of domesticity, gender roles, and identity. Simmons studied at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, where she earned her BFA in 1971. Simmons gained prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s as part of the Pictures Generation, a group of artists who used photography and media imagery to critique cultural and social norms. Her early works, such as the "Interior Decorator" series (1978), feature meticulously arranged domestic scenes with dolls, reflecting the constructed nature of gender and societal expectations. In addition to photography, Simmons has ventured into filmmaking, with her debut feature film "My Art" (2016), in which she also starred. Her work has been exhibited in major institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Simmons's art continues to be highly regarded for its insightful commentary on contemporary issues and its innovative use of scale and composition. Her contributions to the art world have solidified her position as a significant figure in contemporary art.