Witch Doctor Revisited 2011

Curator: Njideka Akunyili Crosby's piece, "Witch Doctor Revisited," created in 2011, is a fascinating example of her mixed-media approach, combining painting and collage techniques. Editor: It's a powerful image. There is such an intriguing combination of textures and a muted palette despite the presence of some bold colors. I'm particularly struck by the layered effect; it gives the whole piece depth and complexity. Curator: That layering speaks volumes about the complexities of identity that Akunyili Crosby explores in her work, doesn’t it? The collage elements incorporate Nigerian cultural references alongside personal photographs, addressing themes of diaspora, memory, and the negotiation of belonging. We can explore how the artist employs postcolonial visual strategies. Editor: Absolutely, I see it. If we zoom in on the way she's pieced together the background, we see how patterns and fragments work together, how she manipulates flatness and depth. Even in her portraiture there is close attention to details of shape, line, and color and it has that unique sense of rhythm, that syncopation… Curator: The "Witch Doctor" figure can be interpreted in light of contemporary conversations around power dynamics, and how indigenous spiritual practices are perceived through a Western lens. Furthermore, her stance suggests strength and resilience; this portrait pushes beyond the historical stereotypes, suggesting a reclamation of identity. Editor: That interplay of textures and forms in "Witch Doctor Revisited" definitely produces an arresting image that holds your attention. Thanks to her artistic technique, the viewer can begin to decode the personal narrative that Njideka is telling, even if from a far. Curator: These themes encourage us to engage critically with the artwork and what it can tell us about identity. I hope we've offered some ideas on the socio-historical contexts of Crosby’s "Witch Doctor Revisited". Editor: Indeed. Considering that combination of media—paint and collage—gives rise to such evocative patterns… a feast for the eyes and mind.