Yinka Shonibare MBE @ Brooklyn Musuem

- The Age of Enlightenment - Gabrielle Emile Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, Marquise de Chatelet, 2008
Life-size fiberglass mannequin, Dutch wax printed cotton, mixed media
Figure: 46 1/2 X 25 1/2 X 33 1/2 inches
Plinth: 6' 7" X 6' 7" X 4"




The Brooklyn Museum is having a mid career survey of the work of UK-based Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare MBE. Shonibare. His work encompasses may themes of African culture via the lens of inequality due to European colonialism. He is best known for his work with African fabric, that of itself isn't of African origin but produced in Eurpore, (Dutch wax-printed cotton), and sold back into Africa. A few of his works are re-imagined Euro-art works using these "African" garments as a recasting of the forms depicted. It detonates a quasi-circle of cross pollination and subjugation. First the Euro-powers divide up Africa, as if a pie, Them they inhabit the land till they are force out only to have a hold on the people and culture by producing life like vistages of there past through fabric.


- Scramble for Africa, 2003. Fourteen life-size fiberglass mannequins, fourteen chairs, table, Dutch wax printed cotton, 52 x 192 x 110 in.



- Diary of a Victorian Dandy: 03.00 hours, 1998. Chromogenic photograph, 72 x 90 in.


- How to Blow Up Two Heads at Once (Ladies), 2006. Two life-size fiberglass mannequins, two guns, Dutch wax printed cotton, shoes, leather riding boots, plinth 63 x 96 1/2 x 48 in.; each figure 63 x 61 x 48 in.

- Leisure Lady (with Ocelots), 2001. Life-size fiberglass mannequin, three fiberglass ocelots, Dutch wax printed cotton, leather, glass.


-Yinka Shonibare "Prospero's Monsters" James Cohan Gallery New York City April 2008

The Exhibition runs at the Brooklyn Museum from June 26–September 20, 2009.