The artwork “The Swing (after Fragonard)”, created by Yinka Shonibare in 2001, is an exemplar of contemporary and postcolonial art, encapsulated within the genre of sculpture.
Rendered in a three-dimensional space, the artwork reinterprets Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s iconic Rococo painting “The Swing” through a modern, postcolonial lens. A headless mannequin, dressed in elaborate and colorful period attire made from African-inspired fabrics, occupies a swing suspended from the ceiling and draped with lush foliage. A single shoe is seen flung into the air, adding a dynamic sense of movement, while the trailing vines and flowers enhance the enchanting and slightly surreal atmosphere of the piece. This reimagined scene invites reflection on themes of identity, colonial history, and cultural hybridity.
