Yinka Shonibare MBE: FABRIC-ATION

Yinka Shonibare is one of Britain’s leading artists and was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2004. His artworks confront issues of race, class and multiculturalism, and are often made out of textile designs that became popular in certain parts of West Africa after their independence.

Although seen as typically African, these materials are in fact Indonesian influenced and manufactured in Holland. Shonibare buys them in Brixton market and uses them to fabricate Savile Row style suits and comic looking aliens that have an extrinsically unnerving force when seen in the gallery context. This exhibition features sculptures, photographs, films, paintings and collages made between 2002 and 2013.

Don't miss

Shonibare’s foray into taxidermy has resulted in Revolution Kids, 2012, a series of half-human, half-animal insurgents brandishing golden guns and blackberries, inspired by the way social media was used in the London Riots and the Arab Spring as a powerful tool against the ruling classes.

Also on show are two new Flying Machine sculptures, 2012 that continue Shonibare’s fascination with the playboy pursuits of the aristocracy, and in particular their love of fast cars and airplanes.