Overview
How does referencing art of the past reveal social and economic realities that affect us in the present? What does it mean when objects and symbols of historical oppression are subverted by contemporary artists and citizens? To find out, listen to this episode recorded before Sharjah Biennial 15 opened, where Yinka Shonibare is in conversation with SB15 curator Hoor Al Qasimi. In Sharjah, Shonibare recreated eleven of London’s public statues and painted them in Dutch wax or batik fabric patterns. The work, called Decolonial Structures (2022), is a reminder of the violent legacies of once-powerful figures memorialised like this. To receive updates about the 15th Sharjah Biennial and the Sharjah Art Foundation’s year-round programme, follow us on Instagram @sharjahart.