Exhibitions
Yinka Shonibare CBE RA: End of Empire
See a striking large-scale sculpture that comments on the balance of power at the outset of the First World War.
'End of Empire' makes a visual connection between the conflicts of the West, globalisation and empire.
Commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the sculpture features two dapper figures with globe heads on a steam-punk seesaw. The globes represent the two 'sides' in the First World War: the British-French allies versus the Austro-Hungarians and Germans. The War witnessed the disappearance of four once-powerful realms (German, Habsburg, Ottoman and Russian), and the seesaw swings slowly, constantly rebalancing – a symbol of the move towards this 'end of empire'.
The figures wear brightly coloured suits made of 'Dutch wax' textiles: fabric that tells a story about colonial history with designs that indicate the African lands formerly colonised by Europeans.
Yinka Shonibare's 'End of Empire' sculpture is sure to get you thinking.
The Box will be closed for Christmas/New Year on 23, 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 January.
Commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the sculpture features two dapper figures with globe heads on a steam-punk seesaw. The globes represent the two 'sides' in the First World War: the British-French allies versus the Austro-Hungarians and Germans. The War witnessed the disappearance of four once-powerful realms (German, Habsburg, Ottoman and Russian), and the seesaw swings slowly, constantly rebalancing – a symbol of the move towards this 'end of empire'.
The figures wear brightly coloured suits made of 'Dutch wax' textiles: fabric that tells a story about colonial history with designs that indicate the African lands formerly colonised by Europeans.
Yinka Shonibare's 'End of Empire' sculpture is sure to get you thinking.
The Box will be closed for Christmas/New Year on 23, 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 January.
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