Newly revised and updated, this authoritative book presents the exciting, ironic, and often subversive work of Yinka Shonibare MBE, one of the stars of the international art scene. Born in London and raised in Nigeria, Shonibare employs a diverse range of media—from sculpture, painting, and installation to photography and film—to probe matters of race, class, cultural identity, and history. He is perhaps best known for his signature use of a colorful “African” batik fabric that actually originated in Indonesia and was introduced to Africa in the19th century by British and Dutch colonizers. Incorporated into Victorian costumes, covering sculptures of extraterrestrials, or stretched like canvas for paintings, these vibrant textiles cleverly challenge issues of origin and authenticity. This book—the most comprehensive resource available on Shonibare—presents the best work of the London-based artist’s career, including his high-profile project for the Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square and other innovative public sculptures. Whether lampooning Victorian propriety or commenting on what it means to be an “alien,” Shonibare makes art that challenges straightforward interpretations.
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