PLANETS IN MY HEAD (TRUMPET BOY) 2018

This is "Planets in My Head (Trumpet Boy)," by Yinka Shonibare. It’s hard to say exactly when it was made, but what strikes me immediately is the playful juxtaposition of textures and colors. The vibrant Dutch wax fabric, a signature of Shonibare’s work, clashes wonderfully with the cool, metallic gleam of the trumpet. It's like he's saying art isn't about perfection, it's about mixing it up, and letting the unexpected happen. Look at how the fabric drapes and folds, giving the sculpture a sense of movement, as if the figure is swaying to the music only he can hear. And that globe for a head? It's a beautiful, absurd touch, hinting at the boundless possibilities of imagination and the universal language of art. For me, Shonibare’s work is always a reminder that art is a conversation that spans cultures and continents, and invites us all to join in the dance. It reminds me a little of David Hammons, with the use of found materials and references to art history to engage with questions of identity, race and colonialism.