@Shonibarestudio’s installation ‘Alien Woman on Flying Machine’, 2011, is now on display at @sketchlondon. The work examines racial prejudice, xenophobia and ideas of ‘otherness’ within a post-colonial context. Yinka Shonibare CBE’s series of ‘alien’ creatures began with the exhibition ‘Alien Obsessives: Mum, Dad and the Kids’, held at Norwich Gallery in 1998. Covered in African batik fabric, these curious forms explore the paradox of difference and the hybridity of identity in a multi-cultural society. As the series developed, Shonibare began to incorporate elements of flight alongside the ‘alien’ creatures. These works reference the artist’s interest in early air travel, space exploration and science fiction while connoting ideas of foreign citizenry and strangeness. ‘Alien Woman on Flying Machine’, sits alongside Shonibare’s hand-painted masks and quilts which were installed as part of the artist’s site-specific installation ‘Modern Magic’ @sketchlondon in March 2022. To find out more, visit sketch.london. Photos by @edmund_dabney @sketchlondon @stephenfriedmangallery #yinkashonibare #yinkashonibarecbe