Works in Progress:
Njideka Akunyili Crosby

Njideka Akunyili Crosby scours the internet and enlists the help of family members in Nigeria to track down the unique source imagery that she transfers onto her densely collaged paintings. Most of Crosby’s process involves slow, researched decision-making, but she is a spontaneous composer. Once a photograph is transferred, it can’t be moved or re-used; the most decisive moment of her practice is also the most intuitive.

“In my works, there are many windows—both literal and figurative—that open into disparate spaces, worlds, and time periods. The image transfers function the same way, imbuing historical, cultural, political, and familial content.”

“I often photograph my work in progress and use Photoshop to try alternative colors for whatever I’m going to paint next. I’m experimenting a fair amount, just on a small, quick scale rather than on the big piece of paper itself.”

“My process is fairly intentional, but when I’m transferring, I work pretty spontaneously to pick where and how to transfer each image. It comes down to trusting my gut.”

This photo essay was originally published in Carla issue 37.

Leah Rom is a Los Angeles-based photographer.

More by Leah Rom