Yinka Shonibare selected by Sotheby's

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Artists of Great Britain and South Africa donated for a charity sale to be held by Sotheby's in London on September 21 to benefit two organizations supporting orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa.

The first page of the press release shows a work by Yinka Shonibare. Size and technique are not indicated, but the estimate is known, and is far from being one of the most expensive of that sale: £ 20 K.

You see a white man in brightly colored clothes to the fashion of Voltaire. He sleeps, slumped on a desk, surrounded by attentive chimeras. The title, visible in the work, is in French: Les songes de la raison produisent-ils les monstres en Afrique ? Translated by Sotheby's: The Sleep of Reason produces Monsters (Africa).

Yinka Shonibare, British artist born in Nigeria, is at ease in both cultures, blending them into a social satire filled with humor, with subtle cultural and historical references. Like many contemporary artists, he uses various techniques: sculpture, painting, photography, installations.

The presence of his works at auction is still very rare. This is an excellent initiative by Sotheby's to attract attention to his art. Yinka Shonibare is disabled following a viral illness. His presence in a major charity sale will benefit the rest of his career.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The charity auction organized by Art for Africa with the logistical and promotional support of Sotheby's has been successful.

The work of Yinka Shonibare which illustrated the first page of the press release was a large photo mounted in a non-glare plexi, 207 x 147.3 x 6.4 cm. This work was also a tribute to Goya.

It was sold 36 k £. The auction house did not charge a buyer's fee.