Yinka Shonibare: Suspended States at Serpentine South, Londo

September 16, 2024 Razvan Chiorean

12 April – 1 September 2024

Yinka Shonibare CBE, Decolonised Structures, 2022-23. Photo: Stephen White & Co.

For over 30 years, Yinka Shonibare CBE has used Western art and literature to examine contemporary culture and identity. Suspended States, his first solo exhibition in London in two decades, showcases new works that probe the impact of power structures on refuge, public monuments, and the ecological and cultural legacy of colonialism.

Yinka Shonibare CBE: Suspended States, 2024. Installation view, Serpentine South. Photo: ©Razvan Chiorean Gallery

At Serpentine South, two major installations anchor the show: Sanctuary City (2024), a series of miniature buildings symbolizing shelters for vulnerable communities, and The War Library (2024), featuring 5,000 books wrapped in Dutch wax print, representing global conflicts and peace treaties.

Shonibare’s hallmark use of Dutch wax fabric—originally a product of colonial trade—becomes a tool to critique imperialist legacies. He reimagines colonial statues in Decolonised Structures (2022-2023) and explores the relationship between luxury, African art, xenophobia, and environmental degradation in his broader work. His social projects, such as the Guest Artist Space (G.A.S.) in Nigeria, further emphasize his commitment to dialogue and exchange across cultures.

What fascinates us most is how Shonibare transforms deeply political issues into visually stunning and thought-provoking pieces. His work not only resonates with today’s cultural and political discourse but invites us to reconsider the past, reframe the present, and rethink our role as stewards of both art and history. There's a certain irony in how a fabric once used to exploit now becomes a symbol of resistance and empowerment—a reminder of art's power to turn the tables on history.

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About the Author

Razvan Chiorean is the published author of Art Buzz News, online content curator and contemporary art documentarist, committed to advancing diversity and accessibility in the art community. With a keen focus on innovation and a steadfast commitment to inclusivity, Razvan strives to unite cultures, serving as a bridge that seamlessly integrates art and innovation, all within the universal language of creativity.

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