Yinka Shonibare’s Wind Sculpture is in Nigeria, standing six meters tall in the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja.
Wind Sculpture VI forms part of a series of important large-scale sculptures that demonstrates Yinka Shonibare’s belief in the importance of public sculpture. This sculpture appears to be an ephemeral billowing form, capturing a moment in time where wind passes through fabric, but is actually rendered in steel and fiberglass.
The organic concave and convex shapes are mirrored in the hand painted patterns that replicate Shonibare’s signature Dutch wax batik fabrics on a dramatically grand scale. All of these elements together lend the work a magical and poetic quality that is immediately visually seductive.
This is the first solo presentation in Nigeria by Shonibare, who was born in London and moved to Lagos as a child. The installation of Wind Sculpture VI will work towards establishing a new paradigm for the role of public art in Lagos. This is the British Council’s first ever public sculpture project in Nigeria. It is also part of the British Council’s UK/Nigeria 2015-16 season, which aims to build new audiences, create new collaborations and strengthen relationships between the two countries.
The artist gave a talk to students last week and was in attendance for a screening of all three of his films, ‘Addio del Passato (2011), ‘Un Ballo in Maschera (2004), ‘Odile and Odette’ (2005) at the site of the installation in Ndubuisi Kanu Park. You still have time to see this colorful and larger than life installation as The Wind Sculpture will remain in Lagos for three months. During this period, the Ndubuisi Kanu Park will be the venue for talks, workshops and other public activities.
The installation was made possible by The British Council, GT Bank, and Stephen Friedman Gallery in collaboration with artist, Yinka Shonibare
