Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Nwantinti, Mounted Print

Using a variety of materials, Njideka Akunyili Crosby creates large-scale paintings that often depict intimate scenes inspired by her daily life.

This work’s title refers to Nelly Uchendu’s popular 1976 rendition of an Igbo folk song that describes the experience of finding true love. Akunyili Crosby employs a photo-transfer technique to incorporate the album’s cover art and other personal and culturally significant images into a collage. The photos blend into the private space of a bedroom, where the artist gazes tenderly at her partner. (Artist in Residence 2011–12)