You Are Not Yourself

You Are Not Yourself is a piece of appropriation art by Barbara Kruger. Created in 1981, You Are Not Yourself depicts a woman examining herself in a mirror that has presumably been struck and shattered by a bullet. The text "You are not yourself" is placed on top of the photograph, surrounding the image of the woman. In 2012, the piece was included in a high-profile installation of Kruger's work titled "Belief + Doubt" at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C.

As is the case with much of Kruger's art, You Are Not Yourself is often interpreted with a feminist analysis. Critics have discussed the gendered implications of the image, noting that the woman's shattered reflection suggests the existence of women in society is inherently fragmented. Women are held to many standards and forced to adopt conflicting roles only to become an amalgamation of other's expectations and assumptions; when a woman finally has a moment for self-reflection (or, as Kruger suggests, a chance to catch a glance in the mirror) she finds that she is "not herself". The text itself is designed to resemble crudely cut and pasted letters which produce a harsh jarring effect. Some critics interpret this stylistic decision as a call for the viewer to consider their own subjectivity and to evaluate the societal messages that they may be receiving.

A significant topic of discussion among critics and enthusiasts is the way Kruger integrates pronouns in her artwork. In "You Are Not Yourself," there is speculation regarding the identity Kruger addresses with the use of "you." This piece, notable for its depiction of a broken mirror, has been widely interpreted as a representation of the viewer's own reflection, implying that the underlying message is intended for each individual who encounters the artwork. From a critical perspective, this again forces viewers to consider their own autonomy and identity.