A blurred appropriation of Mao, two years before Warhol. From 1970, in the Gerhard Richter retrospective at the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris.

Noticing the alignment of stones along the Pacific Crest Trail. Richard Long (from 2005) at Sperone Westwater.

Advertising Kodacolor Gold with a cut through view of ruins in Lebanon. Peggy Ahwesh (from 2006) at Microscope Gallery.

A mask-like multiple exposure portrait of Tee Corinne. Barbara Hammer (from 1972) in the Sixties Surreal show at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

A fiery devil form (and its shadow) strung up in an alley. Senga Nengudi (from 1972) in the Sixties Surreal show at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Collaging together a female nude and a dishwasher, in a biting comment on American domesticity and female commodification. Martha Rosler (from 1966-1972) in the Sixties Surreal show at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Using collage to play with the feminine role of the springmaid. Jean Conner (from 1960) in the Sixties Surreal show at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

A haunting mix of collaged faces, televisions screens, and paper scraps. Wallace Berman (from 1964) in the Sixties Surreal show at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

A masked bubble maker and the perfect timing of a passing bicycle. Shawn Walker in the Sixties Surreal show at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Faces as intricately constructed composites of collaged elements. Romare Bearden (from 1964) in the Sixties Surreal show at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

The extreme elongation of sidewalk shadows. Adger Cowans (from 1966) in the Sixties Surreal show at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Reaching out for the touch of desire. Duane Michals (from 1986) at DC Moore Gallery.

Two halves of Indigenous/Mexican heritage. James Luna (from 1991) in the Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art permanent collection show at the Brooklyn Museum.

A self-portrait nude reflected in a puddle of water. Laura Aguilar (from 1996) in the Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art permanent collection show at the Brooklyn Museum.

Sinuous formal shapes in a tile bathroom. Adama Delphine Fawundu (from 1995) in the Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art permanent collection show at the Brooklyn Museum.

A nude woman and a crouching Vietnamese child, objectified like a bowl of fruit. Martha Rosler (from 1966-1972) in the Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art permanent collection show at the Brooklyn Museum.

Using the artist’s mother to reclaim black sensuality. Mickalene Thomas (from 2007) in the Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art permanent collection show at the Brooklyn Museum.

Lying within the receding lines of a wooden boat. Chester Higgins (from 1993) in the Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art permanent collection show at the Brooklyn Museum.

A self-portrait shadow on the surface of the lily pond. Claude Monet (from c1905) in Monet and Venice at the Brooklyn Museum.

Dangling photographic scraps coalescing into an approximate cave painting. Sarah Sze (from 2024) in the Everyday Rebellions: Collection Conversations group show at the Brooklyn Museum.