Artist Statement:
Marilyn Monroe was an act. She was a fictional character played by a very smart woman. She was made up, and because of that, anyone can play her. What Marilyn struggled with at her most vulnerable times was keeping that guise up.
I am giving these average women their fifteen minutes of fame and to step in to the shoes of this iconic character, Marilyn. The tough part is showing the real women. The instrument I use to get at their vulnerability is my camera. By making the image as close to the original as possible plays at an interesting juxtaposition. First it stages the subject(s) as “Marilyn” but its small differences exposes their own personalities and fears.
Also by allowing these women to be Marilyn it humanizes her. Marilyn Monroe seems to be larger than life, almost out of reach. But in reality, she was just a woman.
I am always looking for models for this and other projects. If you are interested please email me (jbkish@gmail.com).