Yinka Shonibare's Art-iculate Lecture

LAGOS: Yinka Shonibare with artists Peju Layiwola (m) and Rom Isichei at Terra Kulture on April 20.
In the pictures below we have the artist's mum; and he's shown with Yusuf Grillo, who his father had sent him to at YABATECH over 30 years ago when he indicated his intention to become an artist. Grillo had made time to talk to the young man that came calling; and on April 20, Shonibare said from the stage to Grillo in the audience: "I wonder sir, if you remember me, sir" - then the celebrated artist thanked his mentor.

The passing of GTB bank boss Tayo Aderinokun got me thinking of these pictures I always meant to post but never got round to (you get home sometimes and there's no electricity and your generator has packed up, the internet is down etcetera etcetera...). GTB sponsored Yinka Shonibare's Fourth Plinth Nelson's Ship in a Bottle, now on display in London's Trafalgar Square and Aderinokun attended the unveiling on in May 2010 . These pictures are from Shonibare's recent visit to Lagos, during which one of the chief reference points for the artist was his Fourth Plinth achievement, made possible by the late Aderinokun.

Shonibare gave the Art-iculate Lecture at Terra Kulture on April 20. Here are some press reports of the event and some of his other appearances in Lagos: Compass Newspaper, The Guardian, NEXT, Life House Fela! Reception/slides.

Photos: MW