Suspended States

Anglo-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare’s first institutional solo exhibition at the Serpentine in over two decades, Suspended States, will be on view at the gallery from April 12th to September 1st, 2024. The exhibition explores themes of refuge, shelter and the ecological consequences of colonisation through a variety of media including sculpture, quilts, woodcuts and two new large-scale installations entitled Sanctuary City and The War Library. The exhibition coincides with Shonibare’s participation in the 2024 Venice Biennale and reflects his view that the boundaries of nationhood are changing.

Sanctuary City features illuminated miniature versions of historical sanctuaries, emphasising the global need for refuge, while The War Library challenges humanity’s tendency to revisit past traumas with its collection of 5,000 Dutch wax-bound books. Throughout the exhibition, the African Bird Magic quilt series interweaves images of African artefacts with endangered bird species, addressing issues of climate emergency and colonial industrialisation. Decolonised Structures, Unstructured Icons and Cowboy Angels further highlight the impact of exploitation and emphasise the importance of African art in global culture.