Then You Lost Me 2013

Njideka Akunyili Crosby made this painting, ‘Then You Lost Me,’ with paint, and maybe some collage, I’m not sure. There’s a quietness to it. See how the muted colors create a space that feels intimate and a little melancholic? Like a memory fading at the edges. I’m drawn to the way Crosby handles paint. It's not about showing off; it's about feeling. Look at the skin tones, how the paint is layered to create depth and warmth. Then, your eye goes to the cool blues and pinks around her, the stripes framing her face. It’s like the background is pushing forward, flattening the space, and adding to the sense of being lost in thought. It reminds me a bit of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, that same interest in depicting figures in a way that feels both present and distant, both real and imagined. Like we’re catching a glimpse of a world that’s just out of reach. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about answers, it’s about asking questions, and creating spaces for reflection.