In 1979, Kruger began to use found images in her art, mostly from mid-century American print-media resources. Using cropped, large-scale, black and white photographic images juxtaposed with forceful and aggressive captions, for example, 'I shop therefore I am' and 'Your body is a battleground'. They commonly use pronouns such as 'I', 'you' 'we' etc. Much of her texts question the viewer about feminism, classicism, consumerism, religion, sex, racial and gender stereotypes, themes that Kruger feels strongly about. The text is in her trademark black or white letters against black, white or red text bars. Not only has her work been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, it has also appeared on billboards, posters, postcards, t-shirts, train station platforms, public parks.
Kruger has also created installations comprised of video, film, audio and projection.For her exhibition at the Mary Boone Gallery between 1989 and 1991, she transferred words and images directly to the surfaces of the gallery. Each installation featured a text written on the floor in white type on a red ground, the text read, "All that seemed beneath you is speaking to you now. All that seemed deaf hears you. All that seemed dumb knows what's on your mind. All that seemed blind sees through you. All that seemed silent is putting the words right into your mouth." The text addresses the viewer's sense of certainty about the world. It is very direct, a characteristic of Kruger's work. She has given the floor a voice and the walls can hear you. I like how the text cocoons the viewer. Once you walk into the room, you are encapsulated by the text and images.
Kruger knows exactly how to capture the viewer's attention with her bold and witty texts and slogans. She is not afraid to speak her mind, her work being very controversial.
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