Yinka Shonibare MBE Exhibition
December 30th 2008 23:11
MCA banner showing How to Blow up Two Heads at Once
Drawn to the Museum of Contemporary Art by the extravagant 18th century costumes made from gorgeous Dutch-wax printed cotton, I was somewhat surprised by the sight of headless mannequins in such finery posed in various acts of debauchery under a suspended carriage (link to photos below).
This was how I was introduced to the art of Yinka Shonibare MBE.
Born in England and raised in Nigeria, Shonibare currently lives and works in London. The exhibition at the MCA is a survey of his work over the last 12 years.
So what’s the deal with his work, you ask?
Here's the deal: much of Africa is poor and war-torn because, historically, it has been plundered and exploited by the west. It's an unpleasant fact that UK artist Yinka Shonibare MBE wants to highlight. But he's doing it not with earnest images of starving children wielding AK-47s, but with colourful, fanciful scenes of wealthy Europeans at play.
Shonibare is best known for his sculptural set-ups involving headless mannequins recreating French and English paintings from the 18th century. He's particularly keen on the Rococo, the flouncy, decorative style that flourished in France during the reign of Louis XV. Rococo artists painted the aristocracy enjoying themselves while the vast majority of the French were eating dirt and fomenting revolution.
(written by Nick Dent, Time Out Sydney Issue 46: Sept 24-Oct 7, 2008. Please read more here.)Shonibare is best known for his sculptural set-ups involving headless mannequins recreating French and English paintings from the 18th century. He's particularly keen on the Rococo, the flouncy, decorative style that flourished in France during the reign of Louis XV. Rococo artists painted the aristocracy enjoying themselves while the vast majority of the French were eating dirt and fomenting revolution.
Interested? The exhibition is on until February 1, 2009. The MCA is located on Circular Quay West, Sydney and is open daily from 10am - 5pm. Entry is free.
LINKS:
Museum of Contemporary Art website
Photos of artworks on Yinka Shinobare MBE’s website you’ll see at the MCA:
Gallantry and Criminal Conversation (contains sexual references)
Alternating Currents
Dorian Gray
Reverend on Ice
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