In the early 90s I started doing painting mashups -- the equivalent of the musical technique, but on canvas. I'd sample a visual image or metaphor from my favorites (Dali, Jaspar Johns, Pollack) and mix it in with contemporary or historical images. It was an attempt to find my own style in a culture that was becoming increasingly self-referential and "shared."

Sadly some of those paintings were lost, so its difficult to post evidence (I think there's a box of slides somewhere in my mom's basement). Nowadays the concept of sampling and mashing has become so commonplace that its even shown up in the classical world. Hope you enjoy the clip below as it really touched a soft spot.