FAKE DEATH PICTURE (THE DEATH OF CHATTERTON, HENRY WALLIS) 2011

Yinka Shonibare's photograph, 'Fake Death Picture,' restages Henry Wallis’s famous painting of the death of Chatterton, using Dutch wax print fabric. These textiles are key to understanding Shonibare’s work. Though often associated with Africa, these so-called "African" prints were initially manufactured in Europe and Indonesia, intended for sale in West Africa. The patterns are applied industrially using wax-resist dyeing techniques, a process adopted and adapted from Indonesian batik. The vibrant colours and bold designs made them popular in West Africa, where they became deeply embedded in local culture. Shonibare uses these fabrics to explore themes of colonialism, trade, and cultural identity. The wax prints in this restaging create a visual tension, questioning notions of authenticity and cultural ownership. The colourful fabric contrasts sharply with the sombre subject matter, prompting us to consider the complex layers of history and the global exchange of goods and ideas that shape our world. Ultimately, Shonibare invites us to rethink established notions of art and craft, prompting us to look beyond the surface and consider the intricate web of materials, meanings, and cultural references embedded within.