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Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Layering painting and family photographs to explore life between Nigeria and America.
The Rest of Her Remains · MOCA mural
- Born
- 1983
- Birthplace
- Enugu, Nigeria
More people
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Njideka Akunyili Crosby is a Nigerian-born artist known for large, intricate domestic scenes. Her paintings combine drawing, collage and photographic transfers.
Early life
Enugu childhood
Grew up in a family whose parents worked in medicine and pharmacology.
Choosing art
Studied biology and art at Swarthmore before pursuing further art training and a Yale MFA.
Career
- 2011–2012
Harlem residency
Developed her practice at the Studio Museum in Harlem after graduating from Yale.
- 2015
Solo exhibitions
Presented work at the Hammer Museum and Art + Practice in Los Angeles.
- 2017–2020s
Museum recognition
Received a MacArthur Fellowship and developed projects for museums including the Met.
Selected work
The Rest of Her Remains
Combined a reclining figure with layers of images and pattern.
MOCA mural
Created a large exterior work for the Los Angeles museum.
Thriving and Potential, Displaced
Contributed a work to the Met installation Before Yesterday We Could Fly.
Beyond work
Family imagery
Draws on photographs from her family and Nigerian popular culture.
Shared studio life
Her husband, Justin Crosby, is also an artist.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Institutional source ↗Photo: Bronx Museum Teen Council. CC BY 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
