Noah Davis sources imagery from found photographs, art history and his own imagination, referencing and constructing his own personal history through psychologically driven paintings. Often employing clever disguise, Davis' scenes of mundane domestic life are simultaneously sardonic and nostalgic. Titus Kaphar creates socially and politically driven work that forces his viewer to address past and present issues of race, culture and society. Sourcing inspiration from 18th and 19th century paintings, Kaphar addresses the canvas with a sculptural perspective, often mutilating and distorting the surface to parallel the violent and hellacious struggle of African Americans. Working on the streets of San Francisco and signing his works with the tag, "Twist," Barry McGee is considered to be one of the leading artistic figures in California youth subculture. He draws his force and inspiration from the contrast and tension that exists between the city center and the suburbs, between the wealthy districts and the slums. His visual language is at the same time eclectic, ephemeral, radical and above all heavily influenced by the daily realities of the city. McGee's complex installations convey a sense of vitality and chaos, juxtaposed with a precarious nature and sense of alienation. Adam Pendleton's work plays with conventional notions of history and language, proceeding from the notion that thought does not always determine language: language can also determine thought. The work deals directly with the abstraction and instrumentalization of language and image through sculpture and wall- based work. Perhaps no young contemporary artist today captures the insecurity, pain, fearlessness and innocence of youth better than Ed Templeton. A California native, Templeton grew up (and still resides) in the suburbs of Orange County. His works tell the story of disaffected youth set against the picture perfect landscape of the tract housing and sub-divisions of this region. New York based artist, Kehinde Wiley's portraits of African American men combine elements of modern culture with an Old Master's influence. Wiley's work incorporates a range of artistic vernaculars directly from art historical references to a looser, more hybridized concept of modern culture ranging from French Rococo to today's urban streets. Wiley collapses history and style into a unique contemporary vision. Introducing the American viewer to contemporary and traditional facets of Japanese culture, Ai Yamaguchi's work cleverly blends traditional Japanese artistic media and cultural traditions with modern design and color aesthetic. Once a studio assistant for Takashi Murakami, Yamaguchi has now become a key figure in contemporary Japanese culture. Her work can be equally likened to Japanese woodblock prints, landscape panels, and anime.