Yinka Shonibare CBE (RA): Black Artists | Art21 "Extended Play"

Episode #149: As Yinka Shonibare CBE (RA) installs his 2008 solo show at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, Australia, he discusses his experience as a black artist living and working in the United Kingdom. With few black artist role models from the previous generation to follow in the path of, Shonibare describes his motivation and strategy for getting his work into the art system.
Known for using batik in costumed dioramas that explore race and colonialism, Yinka Shonibare CBE (RA) also employs painting, sculpture, photography, and film in work that disrupts and challenges our notions of cultural identity. Taking on the honorific CBE (and previously MBE) as part of his name in everyday use, Shonibare plays with the ambiguities and contradictions of his attitude toward the Establishment and its legacies of colonialism and class. In multimedia projects that reveal his passion for art history, literature, and philosophy, Shonibare provides a critical tour of Western civilization and its achievements and failures.
Learn more about Yinka Shonibare CBE (RA): art21.org/artist/yinka-shonib...
CREDITS | Producer: Wesley Miller & Nick Ravich. Interview: Susan Sollins. Camera: Philippe Charluet & Ian Serfontein. Sound: Mark Cornish & Paul Stadden. Editor: Joaquin Perez. Artwork Courtesy: Yinka Shonibare MBE. Thanks: Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.
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[@creegal]

Just learned about Yinka Shonibare and his art today...all I can say is ABSOLUTELY FN AMAZING! I am in complete AWE!

[@schmiigle]

This man is amazingly awesome. I'm excited to be doing a short course inspired by hi

[@ronaldolamont]

The point is that there isn't enough of a reprensentation of, not only african american art in this country, but art of colored people in general.

[@ronaldolamont]

I don't think you get it! I agree, for any artist it is difficult, but for black artists it is especially difficult! Pay attention to the art that is shown in the museums and galleries, the majority of the art hanging in these institutions are of and about white people! Can you deny that? Do you think that is just a coincidence? It doesn't matter what a black artist does, you will always consider it segregated art!! It could be a simple portrait of a black male, and that would intimidate you!

[@jomocheatham]

Ok, just so I'm up to date, Didymus just wanted us to know that he was here but didn't watch the video because it's promoting segregation within the Art world. "Segregation in the Art world" Ok. Thanks Tommy, the adults can take it from here.

[@ronaldolamont]

Some of the earliest findings of prehistoric art, goes all the way back to 70,0000 BCE, Africa. To say that only asains and whites were creating art since the stone ages, just isn't true! Your leaving out whole races and cultures of other people. Are you forgetting about the greeks and the romans, africans.....even in the middle eastern countries they have records of art dating back to 70,000 BCE.

[@digbystills1967]

didn't watch it. i refuse to support the segregation of artists according to skin color. just as you probably wouldn't watch a video entitled, "white artists of america".