Thursday 19 September 2013

Yinka Shonibare: Wind Sculptures





Standing more then six meters in height and painted in Shonibare's trademark baltic patterns, replicating Dutch Wax fabric, "Wind Sculptures" is a majestic presence within Shonibare's "Fabrication" collection. The fluid nature of the sculptures was inspired by the sails of a ship, and the layers and creases created by the wind in an attempt to replicate the volume three dimensionally. This want to create a flowing, rippled effect is contradicted by the sculptures construction, as Shonibare chose to create these sculptures in fibre glass, a material known for its brittle nature. However the basis of the sculptures was created by blowing wind into fabrics and then photographing them, therefore reinforcing the fact the shapes were created by nature. When viewing these pieces I firstly inspired by the placement of them, as the bright colours and grand temperament of the sculptures contrasted with the plain, natural surroundings, and emphasized the detail of the patterns. I also liked how Shonibare created body and layers to the pieces, which is something I want to take into my own garments I am creating based on Shonibare's work as I think I could attmept to re-create a silhouette that uses fluid lines and through movement creates volume and definition.   

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Yinka Shonibare: Black Gold II




This piece of Yinka Shonibare's work inspired and influenced me because of the contrasting and clashing patterns on each individual fabric circle. I really like how the colours painted on to the canvas contrast with the matte acrylic background on to which they are placed, and also how each of the cirlces conflict with each other either in colour palette, size or the physical pattern placed on them. I have also been inspired by Shonibare's message and meaning behind this particular work, the black "splatter" symbolising Western greed and the fact oil is such a rare commodity, a source of war because of its rarity which draws referance to the name "Black Gold".In this particular case Shonibare is drawing inspiration from his African heritage, as this piece uses Dutch Wax fabric, which represents one of the resources the multi-national corporations exploit Africa for. The splatter shape itself reflects the destruction to those lives that are effected by the need to harvest this precious source and the explosive impact it has on their everyday life.