“I See You In My Eyes,” created by Njideka Akunyili Crosby in 2015, is an evocative piece of postcolonial art situated within the genre of interior artworks. The artwork vividly amalgamates various influences, reflecting the artist’s unique cultural perspective and enriching the genre with a blend of personal and historical narratives.
The artwork depicts an intricate interior scene that is meticulously composed. A multitude of small, overlapping images creates a collage effect, presenting personal photographs, patterned textiles, and reproduced media images. Dominating the artwork is a central figure of a family, which is framed against a backdrop of vibrant patterns, possibly reflecting African textiles. The use of transparent and opaque layers adds depth, allowing snippets of different images to intersperse seamlessly, enriching the visual narrative. Through this complex layering, Crosby explores themes of memory, identity, and heritage, encapsulating her postcolonial discourse within the domestic and familiar setting. The overall composition, with its rich details and dynamic visual interplay, invites viewers to delve into a multifaceted interpretation of cultural memory and identity.