PLANETS IN MY HEAD, PHILOSOPHY 2011

Yinka Shonibare’s sculpture, *Planets in My Head, Philosophy,* is made with Dutch wax printed cotton, fibre glass, wood, leather, and a book. Shonibare’s use of Dutch wax fabric makes me think about the complicated history of trade and cultural exchange. It’s a bit like life, right? You start with something, and through the process of making, it becomes something else entirely. The materiality here is so key - the stiff, patterned fabric contrasts with the smooth globe head, which leans down into the open book. You can imagine the texture of the pages, the weight of the words pressing down. Look at the tailoring of the jacket. The way it suggests movement and stillness all at once. This figure could be anyone, lost in thought, grappling with big ideas. Shonibare reminds me a little of David Hammons. Both are artists who aren’t afraid to ask big questions with a wink and a smile. There’s a sense of playfulness in both their work, but also a deep engagement with the world around them. In the end, art is about opening up possibilities, not closing them down.