“The Furietti Old Centaur,” a sculpture by Yinka Shonibare, created in 2018, belongs to the contemporary and postcolonial art movements. This artwork, evocative of Shonibare’s distinctive style, embodies a fusion of historical elements and modern commentary. The piece stands as an exemplary illustration of postcolonial narratives in contemporary art.
The artwork features a centaur, an anthropomorphic creature merging the essence of horse and human, which is meticulously adorned in a vibrant, multicolored pattern characteristic of African textiles. The centaur’s form is dynamic, poised elegantly on a solid base. Notably, the head of the centaur is replaced with a globe, symbolizing the interconnectedness and global identity themes prevalent in postcolonial discourse. The intricate patterns and the substitution of the head with the globe evoke reflections on identity, cultural exchange, and the legacies of colonialism. The choice of textiles and the distinct composition challenges traditional Western art norms, inviting the observer to contemplate the broader socio-political implications embedded in the piece.
