The distinguished British-Nigerian visual artist Yinka Shonibare is marking his debut solo show on the African continent at 62 years old with a vibrant display that explores themes of identity and reshapes our perspective on the postcolonial world.
Could we take a look at your sculpture?
Refugee Astronaut
Could you let us know if the installation meets your requirements?
Absolutely. Wow! It’s fantastic, it looks incredible!
Several hours prior to the exhibition’s inauguration, Shonibare finds himself amidst his lifetime creations, within the vibrant chambers of the gallery.
Fondation H
contemporary
art
center located in Madagascar’s capital city of Antananarivo.
From floor to ceiling, his creations dazzle with their vivid colours and playful irony. “It’s fantastic to be here. It’s really great to have a solo show here, in Africa,” he told RFI.
Malagasy master craftsmen journey through history to resurrect forgotten vessels.
The exhibition – entitled
Safiotra
“Hybridity” – narrates tales of merged identities and provides a different perspective on understanding the globe.
post-colonial times
, questioning widely held beliefs.
I am also focused on recognizing the contributions of Africans, as my study of history primarily highlighted European accomplishments with very little mention of African achievements and their impact.
Shonibare
explained.
The ‘Paris Noir’ exhibit features creations produced in the French capital by Black artists.
“So my work is always trying to celebrate the achievement of Africans and the contribution that Africans have made – not just in Africa, just through world culture generally. Some might call it, you know, ‘deconstructing the canon’. But I think it’s important that all of our voices can be heard and registered.”
Dominique Tiana-Razafindratsima, a professor of humanities at the
University of Antananarivo
The head of the Centre for Research and Studies on Identity Constructions was invited by Fondation H to contemplate the perception of
safiotra
in
Malagasy culture
.
“Something that is
safiotra
for the Malagasy, because it is ‘mixed’ is seen rather negatively, as the opposite of purity, of authenticity,” explains Rarafindratsimba.
A modern African cultural center will finally open in Paris following a four-year postponement.
Yinka Shonibare’s creations might encourage us to reflect on ourselves and embrace this blend as an integral part of our heritage, recognizing that such fusion forms the bedrock of both human and particularly Malagasy identity.
Shonibare concurs with this notion. He believes that when you establish a binary opposition, it often leads to conflict since individuals fail to comprehend one another. The concept of hybridity suggests that everyone plays a role in contributing to global culture.
The article was adapted from the podcast.
RFI Reportage Afrique
produced by Sarah Théaud.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).