Wes Lang’s Be Yourself (2010) is a brooding yet compelling work that features a stark, off-white skull rendered against a heavily textured, almost tar-like black background. The raw, gestural brushwork and minimal palette lend the painting an expressive power, tapping into motifs of mortality, individuality, and existential contemplation. Skulls are a recurring symbol in Lang’s oeuvre, often paired with Americana and pop culture references; however, this work stands out for its stripped-down intensity and introspective focus. It reflects Lang’s deep engagement with vanitas themes, while deviating slightly from his more collage-like, symbol-laden compositions.