The site-specific installation "Justice for All" located at The Arts House takes inspiration from the building's heritage and features Shonibare's signature “African” batik
One of the signature elements—and perhaps the most recognisable—of British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare’s works is his use of “African” batik. The cultural hybridity of the Indonesian wax-printed fabric, which was mass-produced in the Netherlands and later popularised in West Africa, offers an insight into his art, which explores colonialism and post-colonialism in the context of globalisation.
The theme is also central to his latest site-specific installation, Justice for All, at The Arts House’s Chamber. Part of this year’s Singapore Art Week, the exhibition held from January 13 to 30 draws upon the history and politics in relation to the building and offers a Singaporean reinterpretation of British sculptor F W Pomeroy’s Lady Justice (1906), located on top of London’s Central Criminal Court, also known as The Old Bailey. In place of her golden garb, the Singaporean Lady Justice is robed in a brightly-patterned “African” batik.
(Related: What To Do At Singapore Art Week 2020)
Shonibare, who was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) last year, following the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) he received in 2005, explains, “Justice for All is about the representation of equality, of representing the different ethnic influences that contribute to the identity of Singapore itself. It is intended as a celebration of the hybridity of these influences.” While the monumental sculptural installation may be situated indoors, it will retain the dramatic impact of public sculpture. In the last decade, Shonibare has increasingly included public art into his artistic repertoire of painting, sculpture, photography, film and installation for he says “access to art is better explored within the public realm, not necessarily within an elitist artist setting; that’s why it’s important to me that all kinds of people can experience my art”.
The artist is also dedicated to facilitating international artistic exchange and developing creative practices through artist residencies and international collaborations with his non-profit Guest. Artists. Space. Foundation. Its new artist residency space in Lagos, Nigeria is set to open in 2021.