PLANETS IN MY HEAD, PHILOSOPHY 2011

Yinka Shonibare’s *Planets in My Head, Philosophy* presents a headless mannequin dressed in vibrant African print fabric, lying on the floor and engrossed in a book. I can imagine Shonibare piecing together this figure. What does it mean to construct a body like this? Is it a celebration of cultural identity? A critique of colonialism? The Dutch wax fabric, originally inspired by Indonesian batik, was mass-produced by the Dutch and traded in West Africa. Shonibare uses this material to explore themes of cultural hybridity and post-colonialism. The headless figure could represent the artist’s personal displacement, or the erasure of identity. The book and globe suggest the figure is seeking knowledge, exploring different perspectives, and challenging conventional narratives. Shonibare's work reminds me of the broader artistic conversation around identity, history, and representation. Artists like Kerry James Marshall and Kehinde Wiley also explore similar themes in their work, challenging traditional notions of portraiture and representation. Shonibare reminds us to question and reconsider our understanding of the world.