Viewing Yinka Shonibare’s dazzling “Suspended States” take over Serpentine South

It’s hard to believe Yinka Shonibare hasn’t had a solo exhibition at a British institution for more than twenty years – but his hotly anticipated takeover of the Serpentine South will be well worth the wait. In recent years, Shonibare has been celebrated as a curator (including a touring exhibition with the Arts Council Collection, and a survey of contemporary African art held at Stephen Friedman Gallery in 2022). The Nigerian-born artist is also the founder of Guest Projects, an experimental arts space in Hackney active since 2006, and the Guest Artist Space (G.A.S.) Foundation residency spaces he launched in two locations in Nigeria in 2019.

Ahead of his inclusion in the Nigerian Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale (opening next week) this exhibition recentres Shonibare’s highly influential, innovative and original artistic practice. Intertwining Shonibare’s signature visual style (such as his use of Dutch wax print) with the urgency of his social, humanitarian enterprise, the exhibition moves from his recognisable sculptural and textile works, and promises two new large-scale installations: Sanctuary City, a series of miniature models of buildings that are or have been used as places of refuge for the persecuted, each painted black and illuminated from within; and War Library, featuring 5,000 books bound in Dutch wax print with gold lettering, referring to conflicts and peace treaties with imperialist connections. Shonibare’s welcome return proves he’s just as bold and ambitious as ever.