Where: Victoria Miro, Venice
Pictures Allowed: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes
Open: Tuesday -Saturday 10.00 -13.00 + 14.00 - 18.00
Njideka Akunyili Crosby began the ongoing series “The Beautyful Ones” in 2014, comprised of portraits of Nigerian children, many of which are derived from personal photographs - some including members of her family. The exhibition title is taken from the 1968 novel by Ghanaian writer Ayi Kwei Armah, The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born, which was influential on her childhood in Nigeria, where she lived up until the age of 16.
Akunyili Crosby has one of the most notable styles of her generation. She uses the acetone transfer technique for the photographic details in her pieces. These images often reference popular culture, Nigerian politics and the country's history with colonialism, and other stories that dominate our newsfeeds today.
Each portrait is comprised of an everyday scene - precise in style, bold in appearance, where certain accents draw our attention to the multifaceted subjects within the frame.
Words: Maggie Ibiam
Njideka Akunyili Crosby, The Beautyful Ones” Series #7