THE AMERICAN LIBRARY 2018

"The American Library" by Yinka Shonibare is a sprawling installation, a visual feast of books sheathed in vibrant Dutch wax print fabric. Just imagine Shonibare, surrounded by bolts of colorful textiles, meticulously wrapping each volume. I wonder what it was like for him, choosing just the right fabric for each book. It’s like he’s dressing each one up, giving them a new identity, a new skin. Each book is a story waiting to be told and the patterns—bursting with color and energy—add another layer of narrative. The Dutch wax print—so often associated with African identity and trade—creates a dialogue about cultural exchange, colonialism, and identity. And he is not the first! Think of Matisse, who used textile patterns to flatten space and explore interiority, or Faith Ringgold, who uses fabric to tell stories of Black American life. Shonibare is in conversation with all of them! Artists like Shonibare remind us that painting and art-making are not just about the finished product, but about the ongoing conversation. The exchange of ideas, the pushing of boundaries, and the embrace of ambiguity.