The artwork, titled “APHRODITE OF KNIDOS (AFTER PRAXITELES),” was created by Yinka Shonibare in 2017. It belongs to the contemporary, postcolonial art movement and falls within the genre of sculpture.
The sculpture reinterprets the classical statue of Aphrodite of Knidos, originally sculpted by Praxiteles. Shonibare’s version features a mannequin-like figure adorned in vibrant, patterned fabric characteristic of African textiles. The head of the statue is replaced with a globe, presenting a striking blend of traditional and modern symbolism. The figure is posed with one hand delicately draped over a colorful, patterned cloth that complements its attire. The artwork stands on a simple pedestal, symbolically juxtaposing cultural identity and the globalized world within the framework of classical Western art. This piece reflects Shonibare’s thematic exploration of identity, colonialism, and the interconnectedness of cultures.
