“Diary of a Victorian Dandy: 17.00 Hours” is a photographic artwork created by Yinka Shonibare in 1998. This piece belongs to the contemporary and postcolonial art movements and falls within the genre of photography. The artwork, part of a series, captures an elaborately staged scene reflective of a Victorian-era social gathering, with Shonibare himself featuring prominently within the ensemble.
The artwork presents a meticulously arranged scene around a billiard table, set in what appears to be a Victorian-style room adorned with ornate lighting and framed pictures lining the walls. The central focus is on a figure dressed in opulent, era-appropriate attire, engaging with a group of individuals, each also donning period costumes. The arrangement and interaction among these individuals evoke a sense of narrative and provide a critical commentary on themes of class, leisure, and identity. The tableau is rich with historical allusion, yet the presence of the artist himself disrupts the conventional narrative, introducing a nuanced dialogue on postcolonial identity and the adaptation of cultural roles.
