The Nigerian-born and Los Angeles-based artist, Njideka Akunyili Crosby uses historical and personal events to fuel her representations of political contemporary experiences. Crosby’s work focuses on the interior of everyday scenes and social gatherings. Moments of intimacy and reflection are represented through her work through depictions of family and friends experiencing domestic life. These moments are represent though her abstractly textured picturesque style. The subjects within her pieces are realistically depicted as their skin is detailed and painted with exact lighting and shading. Yet, the clothes on these subjects and their backgrounds are layered with a pattern of photographs of contemporary events and scenes that offer a unique cultural perspective. These patterns composed of contemporary photographs are elegantly placed in accordance to how they match the coloration and lighting of the background within the piece; therefore, one must closely observe these patterns to truly see each individual photograph. Crosby was awarded an honorary doctorate from Swarthmore College and received a MacArthur Fellowship. Additionally, Crosby’s work has been part of a multitude of solo exhibitions and prominent venues internationally, including the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the National Portrait Gallery.

Work Below, Respectively: Thriving and Potential, Displaced (Again and Again and…) , 2021| Dwell: Aso Ebi, 2017| Nyado: The Thing Around Her Neck,2011| Then You Lost Me, 2013