DAVID (AFTER MICHELANGELO) by Yinka Shonibare

DAVID (AFTER MICHELANGELO) 2016

yinkashonibare

2d character

statue

negative space

sculpture

3d character model

sculptural image

unrealistic statue

framed image

technology juxtaposition

vertical object

small focal point

abstract character

static composition

Yinka Shonibare's 2016 sculpture, "DAVID (AFTER MICHELANGELO)", is a contemporary interpretation of Michelangelo's iconic Renaissance masterpiece. The artist replaces the original marble with a vibrant blue fabric patterned with Dutch wax prints, a material often associated with Africa and its colonial past. The globe replacing David's head and the fig leaf fashioned from gold leaf further emphasize the themes of globalization and cultural exchange. Shonibare's "DAVID" invites viewers to contemplate the power of art, cultural identity, and the enduring legacy of history.