Yinka Shonibare Sculpture to Be Unveiled at Ekebergparken During Oslo Art Weekend

Yinka Shonibare's sculpture Material (SG) IV (2023) will be unveiled at Ekebergparken in Oslo on May 29, coinciding with the opening of Oslo Art Weekend. The four-meter-high, two-meter-wide glass fiber sculpture was first shown at Frieze Sculpture in Regents Park in autumn 2023, then at Dulwich Picture Gallery, and will now become part of the park's permanent collection. The work is part of a series capturing wind movements in fabric-like forms, addressing themes of cultural exchange, migration, and the movement of people, goods, and ideas across borders. Hand-painted with a pattern associated with Dutch wax print—inspired by Indonesian textiles and sold by the colonial power to West Africa in the 19th century—the sculpture reflects Shonibare's exploration of hybrid identities. Born in London and raised in Lagos, he describes himself as having a 'hyphenated identity.' Shonibare believes art can unite people amid divisive identity politics and values public art for its accessibility, countering the elitism of museums and galleries. The sculpture aims to be uplifting yet layered, inviting viewers to discover deeper meanings over time. Shonibare, known for headless human figures in Victorian wax-print clothing, has increasingly moved toward abstraction, seeking a spiritual dimension. Oslo Art Weekend, featuring over 50 institutions, returns after cancellation last year due to funding issues.