Yinka Shonibare

Yinka Shonibare is a British-Nigerian contemporary artist known for an interdisciplinary practice that uses Dutch wax textiles and historical references to examine colonialism, post-colonialism, race, class, cultural identity and globalization.

Star Mover ranking

Not ranked in Entertainment yet

0 points

Sign in to Move Up

Profile

About Yinka Shonibare

Profile information current to 2026-08-23.

United Kingdom / Nigeria · Contemporary artist, Multidisciplinary visual artist · 3 affiliations

Show full profile Hide full profile

Also known as: Yinka Shonibare CBE RA
Known for: Interdisciplinary contemporary art; Colonialism and post-colonialism; Cultural identity, race and class; Public art and monuments
Country: United Kingdom / Nigeria

Contemporary artist
Multidisciplinary visual artist

At a glance

His practice spans painting, sculpture, photography, film, performance and installation.
Dutch wax textiles are a recurring material and historical device in his work.
His sculpture Nelson's Ship in a Bottle was displayed on Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth in 2010 and later received a permanent home at the National Maritime Museum.
He was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2004, elected a Royal Academician in 2013 and appointed CBE in 2019.

Background and education

Shonibare was born in London in 1962 to Nigerian parents and moved to Lagos at the age of three. He completed fine-art study at Byam Shaw School of Art in 1989 and received an MFA from Goldsmiths, University of London, in 1991.

Artistic practice and themes

Working across painting, sculpture, photography, film, performance and installation, Shonibare examines colonialism, post-colonialism, race, class, cultural identity and globalization. Dutch wax textiles frequently serve as both a central material and a device for engaging with contested histories and identities.

Public work and recognition

Shonibare's career includes participation in the Royal Academy's Sensation exhibition in 1997, a commission for Documenta XI in 2002 and a Turner Prize nomination in 2004. Nelson's Ship in a Bottle occupied Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth in 2010 before moving to the National Maritime Museum, while Hibiscus Rising opened in Leeds in 2023 as a memorial to David Oluwale.

Institutional roles

Shonibare was elected a Royal Academician in 2013 and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2019. As of 23 August 2026, organizational sources also identified him as chair of the boards of the United Kingdom-based Yinka Shonibare Foundation and the Nigeria-based Guest Artists Space Foundation.

Affiliations

Royal Academy of Arts Royal Academician 2013–present
Yinka Shonibare Foundation Chair of the board present
Guest Artists Space Foundation Chair of the board present

Timeline

1962 Born in London to Nigerian parents.
1991 Received an MFA from Goldsmiths, University of London.
2002 Created Gallantry and Criminal Conversation for Documenta XI following a commission by Okwui Enwezor.
2004 Nominated for the Turner Prize.
2010 Nelson's Ship in a Bottle was displayed on Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth.
2013 Elected a Royal Academician.
2019 Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
2023-11 Hibiscus Rising opened in Leeds as a public memorial to David Oluwale.
2024-04-12 Suspended States opened at Serpentine South in London.

Additional verified details

Current context

Yinka Shonibare is stated to chair the boards of the United Kingdom-based Yinka Shonibare Foundation and Nigeria-based Guest Artists Space Foundation. Based on the foundations' organizational page; these roles should be rechecked before publication.
Current institutional and artist sources style him as Yinka Shonibare CBE RA. Older materials may use Yinka Shonibare MBE or omit one or both post-nominals.

Biographical facts

He was born in London in 1962 to Nigerian parents and moved to Lagos, Nigeria, at age three.
He completed fine-art study at Byam Shaw School of Art in 1989 and received an MFA from Goldsmiths, University of London, in 1991.
His practice encompasses painting, sculpture, photography, film, performance and installation.
Dutch wax textiles frequently function as a central material and historical device in his work.
After its Fourth Plinth display, Nelson's Ship in a Bottle received a permanent home at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.