The artwork, “The Beautyful Ones, Series #2,” created by Njideka Akunyili Crosby in 2013, exemplifies the postcolonial art movement and falls under the portrait genre.
The artwork portrays the image of a young individual dressed in an eclectic ensemble of green and yellow, standing confidently against a composite backdrop. The subject’s attire is meticulously detailed, juxtaposing vibrant, solid colors with a collage of faintly visible imagery, presumably representing cultural and historical contexts. The background merges lush greenery with subtly infused images, creating an intricate and layered setting that draws the viewer’s eye to the subject’s poised stance. The artwork encapsulates various narratives and visual textures, employing a sophisticated blend of painting and collage techniques to explore themes integral to postcolonial identity and personal history.
