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Courtesy of the Artist and Victoria Miro, London / Venice. Photography by Mario Todeschini
Mama, Mummy and Mamma (Predecessors #2)
The title of Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s drawing references three generations of women in her family. Her grandmother (Mama) is represented by the “tea things” crowding the table that she once owned. Her mother (Mummy) is depicted as a young girl in the picture hanging on the back wall. Finally, her sister (Mamma) sits contemplating with her elbow resting on the table. How would you depict the legacy of your own family and traditions?
ArtistNjideka Akunyili Crosby(b. 1983)
Nigerian, born 1983
Date2014
MediumAcrylic, colored pencil, charcoal, and transfers on paper
Dimensions83 1/8 x 105 in. (211.1 x 266.7 cm)
Mark(s)verso, on backing board, l.r.: la Biennale di Venezia / PC 81 2/2 1/1 [sticker label]
Credit LineCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, Gift of Olivia and Tom Walton in honor of Monique Knowlton, 2025.41
ClassificationMixed Media
Provenance(Victoria Miro, London, England); purchased by OTW Art LLC, Bentonville, AR, 2018; given to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR, 2025
On ViewNo
This artwork's face covers about 8.1× the area of a standard movie poster.Drawn to the same scale.
