Matthew Barney

Matthew Barney is a multi-medium creative artist. His most recognized (and controversial) works consist of performance art, sculpture, drawing, and symbolism blended together in a series of Avant-Garde films known as the Cremaster series. Cremaster is a scientific term referring to the ascension and dissension of a muscle of the male anatomy. 

In addition to the film series’ unusual name, the filming and release of the five films, produced between 1994-2002, were done purposely out of order, Cremaster 4, 1, 5, 2, and 3 respectively. Each movie tackles a subtheme of the whole, exploring human gender and sexuality from fetus to adulthood. Although the running theme is biological, the aesthetics are a combination of artist mediums. 

Other acclaimed films written and directed by Barney include  Drawing Restraint 9 (2006) and DeLama Lamina (2007). His films have been analyzed in detail by critics and fans for their multilayered, controversial topics and use of diverse forms of expression.