Yinka Shonibare

Yinka Shonibare is a British artist whose work delves into themes of cultural identity, colonialism, and post-colonialism against the backdrop of globalization. A distinctive feature of his art is the vibrant Ankara fabric.

Biography of Yinka Shonibare

Yinka Shonibare was born in 1962 in London, England. When he was three years old, his family relocated to Lagos, Nigeria. Shonibare returned to the UK to study at Redrice School when he was 17. 

At 18, he contracted transverse myelitis, a condition that left one side of his body paralyzed, resulting in a long-term physical disability. Despite this challenge, Shonibare pursued a successful career as an artist, gaining international recognition.

Shonibare initially studied Fine Art at Byam Shaw School of Art and later pursued his MFA degree at Goldsmiths, University of London, graduating alongside the Young British Artists cohort. 

In 1999, Shonibare crafted four alien-like sculptures titled "Dysfunctional Family." The artwork features a mother and daughter rendered in white and blue textures, alongside a father and son textured in red and yellow hues.

In 2003, he was appointed an Honorary Fellow of Goldsmiths' College. In 2004, Shonibare was nominated for the Turner Prize. In 2013, the artist was elected as a Royal Academician. He was appointed a CBE in 2019.

Shonibare's first solo exhibition took place in 1989 at the Byam Shaw Gallery in London. From 2008 to 2009, he was featured in a significant mid-career survey exhibited in both Australia and the USA.

Recent solo exhibitions include "Yinka Shonibare CBE: Suspended States" at Serpentine South im London (2024), "Boomerang: Returning to African Abstraction" at James Cohan Gallery in New York (2023), "Free The Wind, The Spirit, and The Sun" at Stephen Friedman Gallery in London (2023), and "Ritual Ecstasy of the Modern" at Cristea Roberts Gallery in London (2023).

Additionally, Yinka Shonibare's works have been featured in numerous group shows held at various galleries and museums worldwide, including the Barbican Centre, Wereld Museum, National Gallery Victoria, Muzeum Współczesne, Djanogly Gallery, South London Gallery, Kunsthalle Vogelmann, Centre Pompidou, among others.

Currently, the artist lives and works in London. 

Yinka Shonibare's Art Style

Shonibare's interdisciplinary practice encompasses painting, sculpture, prints, photography, and film. Shonibare's art integrates citations from Western art history and literature to scrutinize the relevance of contemporary cultural and national identities in a globalized context. By exploring themes of race, class, and the formation of cultural identity, his works critically reflect on the complex interplay between Africa and Europe, as well as their intertwined economic and political histories.

Describing himself as a "post-colonial" hybrid, Shonibare challenges the significance of cultural and national definitions. While his work frequently draws from his personal life and immediate surroundings, he also finds inspiration from diverse global sources.

His distinctive material of choice is the brightly colored 'African' batik fabric, which he purchases at Brixton market. Originally inspired by Indonesian design, this fabric was mass-produced by the Dutch and later sold in West African colonies. By the 1960s, it had evolved into a symbol of African identity and independence.

Shonibare is renowned for his creation of life-size sculptural figures, often depicted without heads and meticulously adorned in vibrant wax cloth patterns. Through this deliberate presentation, he explores the complexities and ambiguities of history and racial identity.