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.

Another major point of debate amongst critics and fans alike is Kruger's artistic incorporation of pronouns. In You Are Not Yourself, questions have been raised about the identity of the subject that Kruger hails: who is the "you" in question? You Are Not Yourself features a shattered mirror that many have interpreted to symbolize the reflection of each unique viewer, suggesting that the embedded message is directed towards everyone who views the piece. From a critical perspective, this again forces viewers to consider their own autonomy and identity.