"The Beautyful Ones," Series #2 2013

Njideka Akunyili Crosby's 2013 painting "The Beautyful Ones," Series #2 uses a unique collage technique to create a portrait of a young boy. The artist, known for incorporating her own photographs into her works, uses vibrant colors and bold lines to capture the essence of her subject. Through layering, Crosby incorporates elements of Nigerian life, including printed patterns and textured surfaces, reflecting the cultural identity of her subject. The artwork's title, which alludes to Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart," adds a layer of complexity to the portrayal of a young boy and his environment.