“Magic Ladder Kid VI” is a sculpture created by the artist Yinka Shonibare in the year 2018. The artwork belongs to the contemporary and postcolonial art movements. It depicts a child on a ladder, exploring themes of ascension and potentiality within a postcolonial narrative.
The artwork showcases a child-like figure climbing a steeply inclined ladder. The child is adorned in a vibrant, multicolored costume reflective of African textiles, featuring intricate patterns and textures. The head of the figure is represented by a shiny, reflective globe, hinting at a universal or global identity. The ladder itself is stylized with steps that have book-like structures, symbolizing knowledge and learning. The setting appears minimalistic, with the base of the ladder standing on a simple, circular platform. The juxtaposition of traditional fabrics with contemporary materials reinforces the postcolonial dialogue inherent in Shonibare’s work.
