Artists as Texts

An artist is not a text just as a person but as a brand being represented by a certain image, language and sound create a text.

How this text appears to the audience is just as important as the music itself.


We looked at how image is altered in different situations. For example:

 Although Cheryl is wearing white, a colour seen as being pure, but the bare legs and exposed shoulder gives a sultry and sexy image. Th white also contrasts with her tanned skin. Her eyes are directed into the lens of the camera, challenging the audience but also making it more personal. The tousled "sex hair" again gives a sexy image. She is lying on a beach which is a natural environment  even though the photo is been very manufactured.

 This photo shows Cheryl in her role as a judge on x-factor. Here she can be seen as a role model and a "national sweetheart" Her face is slightly angled which doesn't challenge the audience even though her eyes are still directed at the camera. The fact that she is smiling gives her a sweet and pure image and her simple make up and hair give her an "everyday look" which regular women would aspire to look like. The camera cuts out her chest area and her shirt is quite high which denies the audience Cheryl's normal sexy image.

Although Cheryl is very covered up here, she still gives off a sexy image. The sheer sleeves show her flesh very subtly and the fact that her hair is up shows her neck and some of her back. This photo was taken on the red carpet so the black dress contrasts the red on the carpet. Her eye make up is very heavy which draws attention to her eyes even though she is not looking into the camera. It also helps accentuate the sexy image she is trying to portray.