Nijdeka Akunyili Crosby

Drawing on a multitude of references, Njideka Akunyili Crosby creates densely layered figurative compositions that, precise in style, reflect the complexity of contemporary experience. Born in Nigeria, Akunyili Crosby moved to the United States as a teenager, and her work reflects her hybrid cultural background and personal history.

Many of Akunyili Crosby’s works depict family and friends in scenarios drawn from familiar domestic moments: eating, drinking, watching TV. Rarely do they meet the viewer’s gaze; instead, they appear caught in moments of intimacy or reflection that remain open to interpretation. Ambiguities of narrative and gesture are underscored by a secondary layer of imagery, visible only when viewed up close. Vibrantly patterned photo-collage sections are composed from images sourced from Nigerian magazines and other mass media, as well as the artist’s personal image archive. These elements offer a compelling visual metaphor for the layers of memory and cultural history that shape and deepen the experience of the present.