Talking Points: Njideka Akunyili Crosby
How can our culture and experiences inspire our artwork?
Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s layered compositions depicting contemporary life combine painting with photo–collaged elements. Using her own archive of family photographs, alongside images from Nigerian magazines, these tapestry-like works visualise the cultural influence of her birthplace, Nigeria, alongside that of her adopted home, The United States.
Watch the videos below and use the following questions to start a conversation about Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s work.
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Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Njideka is originally from Nigeria but trained as an artist is America, which is where she now lives. This duality of experience has given Njideka a fresh perspective on the places and cultures that she has experienced.
Njideka’s paintings draw on art historical, political and personal references, Njideka Akunyili Crosby creates densely layered figurative compositions that express the complexity of contemporary experience.
Many of Akunyili Crosby’s images feature figures – images of family and friends – in scenarios derived from familiar domestic experiences: eating, drinking, watching TV.
While the artist’s formative years in Nigeria are a constant source of inspiration, Akunyili Crosby’s grounding in Western art history adds further layers of reference. – Victoria Miro Gallery
Watch the videos below to find out more.
Apologies if you cannot watch one of the videos because your school has blocked YouTube.
Questions to Ask Children
Pause the video at various points where you can see details of Njideka’s paintings, or find an image on Njideka’s website and discuss the following questions…
Describe what you think is happening in this painting/this detail.
What do you think the person in the painting could be thinking about?
How does Njideka use layers in her work to help her create imagery.
How does this painting make you feel?
How might the painting reflect Njideka’s identity?
This Talking Points Is Used In...
using sketchbooks to make visual notes
Show me what you see
