“PLANETS IN MY HEAD, PHILOSOPHY” is a 2011 sculpture by the artist Yinka Shonibare, belonging to the Contemporary and Postcolonial art movements. The artwork exemplifies a genre of sculpture.
The artwork depicts a figure dressed in an eclectic and colorful ensemble that combines vibrant patterns and textures, indicative of Shonibare’s distinctive style. The figure lies prone on a wooden floor, with its legs crossed in the air and its head, represented by a black spherical shape resembling a globe, engrossed in an open book. This juxtaposition of traditional attire and the curious, thought-provoking pose, along with the globe as a head, invites viewers to contemplate themes of identity, culture, and intellectual exploration. The intricate fabric patterns and the inclusion of the philosophical book element underscore the sculptural piece’s rich cultural and intellectual references, characteristic of Shonibare’s work.