Selections 

Sue Coe made this print, titled "Selections," using stark black and white to depict a disturbing scene. At first glance, the image presents a common subject in the history of art - livestock. However, the way Coe constructs this image creates meaning through the cultural associations of death, industry, and capitalism. Made in the United States in the late 20th century, this print is a political commentary on the ethics of the meat industry. It is no accident that the sheep are being led to slaughter; the artist draws a deliberate parallel between the animals and the working-class. By foregrounding the slaughterhouse, Coe critiques the institutions that normalize the mass production of meat. She invites us to consider the social and economic systems that allow such practices to continue, unquestioned. To fully understand art like this, we can consult resources like historical archives and academic studies of political art. This process allows us to see how art reflects, and challenges, the norms of its time.