Yinka Shonibare: Nelson's Ship in a Bottle
On 24 May 2010, artist Yinka Shonibare unveiled Nelsonβs Ship in a Bottle, on the fourth plinth in Londonβs Trafalgar Square.
On 24 May 2010, artist Yinka Shonibare unveiled Nelsonβs Ship in a Bottle, on the fourth plinth in Londonβs Trafalgar Square.
The piece was the worldβs largest ship in a bottle, but it wasnβt just any vessel.
It was a replica of HMS Victory, commanded by Admiral Lord Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar, except Yinka had made an eye-catching change.
The shipβs plain sails had been replaced with colourful Dutch wax sails. Dutch wax is a fabric typically sold in West Africa.
Yinkaβs work captivated crowds and left people wondering what it meant.
βSome people were like βoh great we are celebrating Britishness. Fantasticβ, and then some other groups said βOh this is a critique of Britain. Fantasticβ. I love it when the work does that!β, says Yinka.
He tells Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty how his artwork was created and what it means to him.
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