In the 1970s, alongside such artists as Richard Prince, Louise Lawler, Sherry Levin, and Robert Longo, Sherman emerged as a prominent member of The Picture Generation art group. The collective was renowned for its critical analysis of contemporary mass culture, employing the appropriation of images from advertising, film, television, and magazines. Through a combination of humor and criticism, they created art that dissected their relationship with pop culture and the mass media.

Sherman's artistic practice revolves around self-portraiture, where she skillfully depicts imaginary yet incredibly realistic scenes and characters. Assuming various roles as author, director, make-up artist, hairstylist, dressmaker, and model, she adopts a series approach to her work. Her performative style has given rise to some of the most iconic and powerful characters in contemporary art.

At the core of Sherman's artistic exploration lies the examination of identity stereotypes pervasive in both art history and contemporary culture. She unveils these patterns while simultaneously exposing the mechanisms behind their creation and delving into the secrets of image-making. Since the early 2000s, Sherman has incorporated digital technology into her artistic process, allowing for further manipulations and introducing new layers of complexity to her artistic language.