“END OF EMPIRE,” created by Yinka Shonibare in 2016, is a contemporary postcolonial sculpture. The artwork depicts a seesaw supporting two figures dressed in vibrant, patterned clothing typical of Shonibare’s signature batik fabric. Both figures have globes for heads, exemplifying the artist’s exploration of themes related to colonialism, globalization, and cultural identity. The seesaw, finely balanced, symbolizes a delicate equilibrium, possibly alluding to the shifts in power dynamics and the complex legacies of empire in a postcolonial context. Set against a backdrop of large rectangular windows, the space itself adds a modern, neutral contrast to the colorful and symbolic nature of the sculpture, inviting viewers to ponder the multifaceted narratives embedded within the work.
