PAN 2018

Yinka Shonibare’s ‘Pan’ is a headless fiberglass sculpture covered with Dutch wax print cotton and topped with a globe. There’s something cheeky about this piece, the patterns and colours are playful, they almost undermine the authority of the pose and the globe for a head. This sculpture asks us to consider the relationship between form and meaning. The fabric is smooth and vibrant, a skin stretched over a body in motion. Look at the way the pattern wraps around the form, creating a sense of dynamism. The contrast between the colourful fabric and the muted tones of the globe is really striking. It is a juxtaposition that elevates the artwork while being playful, creating a conversation about identity and cultural exchange. I see a dialogue with artists like Jeff Koons, who also uses pop imagery and vibrant colors to explore questions of taste and value, where nothing is really fixed and everything is open to playful interpretation.