Click on any image for a larger view. Black Gold I 2006 Mixed media 2008-2-1, museum purchase In Black Gold I, Shonibare returns to the technique of painting the fabrics so closely associated with African identity. These fabrics, commonly referred to as Dutch wax cloth, sold widely in Africa but were originally manufactured in Holland and England, and are based on patterns originating from Indonesia. To Shonibare, they represent the complexity of identity and cross-cultural interdependence. Likewise, oil-"black gold"-is a multicultural enterprise, and one that is of profound importance in his former home of Nigeria. The bold outlines and grand scale of this work also recall the vivid canvases of the abstract expressionists and pop artists, and reflect Shonibare's talent for creating work in response to pivotal moments in the history of art. At once visually and intellectually compelling, this work invites contemplation on such topics as imperialism, the environment, war, aesthetic movements, art and cultural identity. Yinka Shonibare, MBE b. 1962, England Best known for his innovative juxtapositions of brightly patterned fabrics in diverse media-from film to sculpture-artist Yinka Shonibare has become an international phenomena. In 2005 the British crown knighted the artist in recognition of his accomplishments. A major retrospective of his work is currently on view in Sydney, Australia, and will travel to this museum in November 2009. The National Museum of African Art is proud to have acquired his important new work, Black Gold I. Back to NMAfA exhibits