BUTTERFLY KID (BOY) III 2018

Yinka Shonibare made this sculpture, "Butterfly Kid (Boy) III," and while the date is unknown, the use of vibrant Dutch wax fabric makes it instantly recognizable. I love how Shonibare's work plays with cultural identity and colonialism. The wax fabrics, though associated with Africa, were actually inspired by Indonesian batik and manufactured in Europe. It's like a beautiful, tangled web of history. Look at the way the fabric drapes and folds, it's so tactile, you want to reach out and touch it! Each piece is carefully chosen and arranged, creating a patchwork of color and pattern. The contrast between the vibrant fabrics and the faceless globe is so striking. The butterfly wings give a sense of movement, as if the figure is about to take flight. This piece reminds me a bit of the work of Kehinde Wiley, who also uses vibrant patterns and colors to explore identity and representation. Like Wiley, Shonibare is challenging our assumptions and inviting us to see the world in a new way. It’s a reminder that art is a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas and perspectives.