Yinka Shonibare MBE

[anotheranon]

dustdaughter pointed out Shonibare's work to me over a month ago. I liked his aesthetic right away - it reminds me of Vivienne Westwood's in the sense that he takes historic European clothing and turns it on its ear - in his case, 18th century frock coats and the like made out of African fabrics.

Which aren't African, as it happens - they're Dutch batiks purchased in London. Steampunker Ay-Leen the Peacemaker has a thoughtful writeup on the cross-cultural inspirations and implications of his work over at her blog. I'd actually recommend her entire Beyond Victoriana series on non-Eurocentric steampunk (go for the pretty clothes, stay for the political/cultural deconstruction).

As it turns out, his exhibit at the NMAfA goes through March 7. Anyone interested in going in the new year?