YINKA SHONIBARE MBEMuseum of Contemprary Art, Sydney
until 1 February 2009
Left: How to Blow up Two Heads at Once (Ladies), 2006
Two mannequins, two guns, Dutch wax printed cotton textile, shoes, leather riding boots, plinth
93 1/2 X 63 X 48 inches
This is definitely the show of the Spring season. The MCA have mounted a very impressive survey of the Nigerian/British artist, a couple of whose works were included in Contemporary Commonwealth at the NGA, coinciding with the Commonwealth Games in 2006, remember them?
This a large review show and includes all his best-known pieces, LF's favourite being 'The Scramble for Africa', featuring his signature headless manequins seated around a table, dressed in 'Dutch' printed cotton, dividing up a continent. Shonibare's work has great depth and sophistication, reaching far beyond the obvious post-colonial polemics, and he has an impressive knowledge of European art history and Enlightenment culture, which he wickedly subverts at every turn.
It's good to see some work by a major African artist in Australia - it's on for ages so get over there.
Primavera also opened last night, more on that soon.
A la prochaine.
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