joseph scissorhands: Yinka Shonibare CBE: African Spirits of Modernism

Yinka Shonibare CBE RA - Hybrid Mask (Fang), 2020-2021

“This show is an attempt to understand the legacy of African aesthetics and to connect my own ancestry to contemporary culture. In my view, the African contribution to modernism has never really been celebrated in the way it ought to be. I decided to trace back the story of modernism; how Picasso’s first experience of African art changed the trajectory of his career and how the avant-garde period was incredibly inspired by African objects.

I feel the moment we are in now – with Black Lives Matter and attention to the works of many artists from the African diaspora – is similar to the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and ‘30s. After the Depression, interest and support of Black culture reduced dramatically. Did that first interest do anything to improve the lives of Africans? Is it a fad? Is it fashion? It is a very important question to ask.” – Yinka Shonibare CBE RA

To Stephen Friedman Gallery once more to experience the latest works of Yinka Shonibare CBE, having enjoyed their previous shows here and their great collaboration with the House of Modernity at the historic 14 Cavendish Square which featured Shonibare's works here. This exhibition described as "Picasso in reverse" by the artist, sees Shonibare turning the tables and appropriating aspects of European culture in much the same way that Picasso did with his personal collection of African artefacts to create a new visual language with his painting Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, 1907. The three main sculptures by Shonibare in this exhibition are hybrids from classical European mythology given heads which are replicas of African tribal masks. The bodies are covered in Shonibare's signature colourfully patterned batik fabrics which hint at trade between the two cultures. In the back room an army of masks covered in vibrant batik designs are lined up to confront visitors whilst a slide show of images reflecting the interest in African art in Paris during the 1920s plays in the background. Across the road are some new quilts by Shonibare which were a revelation. I really enjoyed the loose hanging threads of the embroidery and the patterned batik fabrics appliquéd into the mix. They reminded me in part of those wonderful African Asafo flags of the Fante people with their strong fabric outlines of African masks and statuary. The diamond shapes which form the backdrop of many of the designs again allude to Picasso in the diamond motifs found in his Harlequin paintings.