Grandmother’s Parlour 2016

Njideka Akunyili Crosby, born in Nigeria in 1983, creates works that entwine personal history with cultural identity. Her art reflects the complex experience of living between two worlds, the Nigeria of her childhood and her life in America. In "Grandmother's Parlour", Crosby assembles a layered narrative that offers an intimate look into a domestic space, likely inspired by her own familial settings. Her super-imposition of photographic imagery with paint, print and collage creates a multi-dimensional effect that speaks to the way memories layer upon one another. The view through the window suggests both a connection to and a separation from the outside world. Crosby has spoken about her work being a reflection of her identity. "My art is invested in negotiating the cultural terrain between my current home in America and my native home in Nigeria." Through the details in the room, Crosby invites us to consider the broader issues of postcolonial identity and cultural hybridity. The work resonates with the warmth of personal history, inviting reflection on our own sense of belonging.