These days, wouldn’t we all kind of like to be…imaginary beings? Or at least exist in a world that isn’t so jarring. NYC-based artist Johanna Goodman’s series “The Catalogue of Imaginary Beings” was launched in 2015 and now comprises over 200 plates. These vibrant, intricate figures—hybrids of human, object, and ornament—explore the roles of the individual in fashion, history, art, and collective cultural memory. Drawing inspiration from Magical Realism, Surrealism, and Symbolism, Goodman’s beings are steeped in references to talismans, idols, totems, and the layered material world that surrounds us. Each character is a composite, embodying archetypes such as the warrior, the dreamer, the laborer, and the vulnerable soul. They echo how these identities have been historically portrayed in art, literature, and commerce—both universal and deeply personal in tone. They take us into the sphere of dreams while reminding us who the heck we actually are.