Yinka Shonibare
Yinka Shonibare CBE RA is a contemporary British-Nigerian artist known for his vibrant, complex, and politically charged work that examines cultural identity, colonialism, globalization, and race. A distinctive feature of his art is the use of brightly patterned, wax-print "Dutch Wax" fabric, often incorrectly associated solely with Africa, to costume headless figures in historically European settings.Early Life and Education Yinka Shonibare was born in London, England, on February 10, 1962. At the age of three, his family moved to Lagos, Nigeria, where he spent his formative years. He returned to the UK to study fine art. Shonibare attended the Byam Shaw School of Art (now part of Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design), where he received his first degree in 1989. Following this, he earned a Master of Fine Arts from Goldsmiths College, University of London, graduating in 1991. Early in his career, just weeks after beginning art school, Shonibare contracted transverse myelitis, which resulted in a long-term physical disability causing partial paralysis. This experience profoundly influenced his artistic perspective, particularly his focus on identity and duality.Career Progression and Major Achievements Shonibare gained prominence in the 1990s as a member of the Young British Artists (YBAs) movement. His breakthrough came through examining the concept of "African identity" as an invention of European colonialism. By utilizing the Dutch Wax fabric—a textile originally manufactured in the Netherlands for the Indonesian market, later mass-produced and sold in West Africa—he subverts the notion of authentic cultural signifiers. A significant milestone in his career was his participation in the Venice Biennale in 2001. In 2003, he was commissioned to create work for Documenta 11. His work has since been exhibited in major museums globally, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, Tate Modern in London, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. In recognition of his contributions to the arts, Shonibare was awarded the prestigious title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2019. He is also a Royal Academician (RA).Notable Works Shonibare’s practice encompasses sculpture, painting, photography, and film. Key works include: * ***Diary of a Victorian Dandy*** **(1998):** A photographic series featuring Shonibare himself as a fashionable 19th-century English aristocrat, challenging historical narratives of race and class. * ***Nelson's Ship in a Bottle*** **(2007):** A large-scale commission for the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, London, which features a replica of Admiral Nelson's flagship, *HMS Victory*, with its sails made from his signature African-print textiles. * ***Wind Sculpture (SG) I*** **(2018):** Part of a series of monumental fiberglass sculptures that captures the volume and movement of fabric caught by the wind, often painted with Dutch Wax patterns. * ***The African Library*** **(2020):** An installation that features thousands of books bound in Dutch Wax fabric, bearing the names of prominent figures who have fought for African independence or been part of key cultural movements, such as Nelson Mandela and Patrice Lumumba.Current Status Yinka Shonibare CBE RA continues to be an influential international artist, maintaining a studio in London, where he lives and works. His works are highly sought after and remain central to contemporary discussions on globalism, post-colonial identity, and the interconnectedness of cultures.
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