For Services – Victoria Regina 2013

Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s “For Services – Victoria Regina” offers a potent commentary on postcolonial identity using oil and transfer prints on paper. Its somber tone speaks volumes about the complex relationship between Nigeria, where the artist was raised, and its British colonial past. The dark, almost obscured portrait, challenges the traditional representation of power. By naming the work after Queen Victoria, a key figure in British imperialism, Crosby confronts the legacy of colonial rule and its impact on Nigerian society. The use of transfer prints hints at fragmented memories and the layering of cultural identities. Understanding this piece requires us to delve into the historical context of British colonialism in Nigeria, the socio-political climate of post-independence Nigeria, and the artist’s own personal experiences as a Nigerian woman living in the diaspora. This investigation enables us to fully appreciate the power of art to question established narratives and prompt critical reflection on historical injustices.