BUTTERFLY KID (BOY) III 2018

"BUTTERFLY KID (BOY) III," a 2018 sculpture by Yinka Shonibare, depicts a young boy in a fantastical pose with a large butterfly attached to his back. The boy's head is obscured by a black sphere, and his body is adorned with brightly colored, patterned clothing. The work, made in the style of contemporary sculpture, explores themes of identity, colonialism, and the power of imagination. Shonibare is known for his use of Dutch wax fabric, traditionally associated with Africa, and his works often blend historical and cultural references to provoke viewers to question assumptions about identity and representation.