Bessie and Little Richard the morning after she scalded her husband, Harlem, New York

This selection of works focuses on family, domestic space, and the urban landscape. It brings together photographs from various traditions—including Conceptualism, still life, and social documentary—as well as a piece by a male quilter. Although they represent several generations of artists, often with differing creative practices and intents, these works each tell a story—sometimes obvious, sometimes implicit. Frequently they picture the home, especially the bedroom, encouraging us to contemplate the personal and private moments that make up a life. Shown together, these works ask us to think critically about the role played by the artist, particularly the photographer, in the creation and shaping of a narrative.