Yinka Shonibare, born in London in 1962 and raised in Nigeria, is a British-Nigerian artist renowned for his work addressing colonialism, post-colonialism, and globalization. He uses a variety of mediums—including painting, sculpture, photography, and installation—to explore themes of race, class, and cultural identity, often with political commentary on the complex histories between Africa and Europe. Shonibare is known for his playful yet critical engagement with Western art history and literature. His notable works include Gallantry and Criminal Conversation (2002) for Documenta XI, Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle (2010) on Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth, and his mid-career survey exhibitions. He was elected a Royal Academician in 2013 and has works in major museum collections worldwide, including Tate, the Smithsonian, and MoMA.
