Artist Yinka Shonibare
This Field Note documents an editorial portrait assignment for Dagens Nyheter, featuring artist Yinka Shonibare, whose work examines cultural identity, colonialism, and post-colonial narratives within a global context. A distinctive use of brightly coloured Ankara fabric has become a recurring visual language within his practice.
The portrait was photographed in Shonibare’s London studio. The setting was integral to the assignment, allowing the artist to be situated within the visual language of his own work. Photographing him in front of his artwork provided a direct connection between subject and practice, using the studio environment as both context and narrative support.
Colour played a central role in the portrait. Patterned textiles within the work formed a strong visual framework, while lighting was used with restraint to bring focus to Shonibare’s expression without competing with surrounding detail. The intention was to balance depth and legibility, allowing the portrait to reflect both the individual and the ideas embedded in his practice.
The portrait was published as the lead image on the culture pages.
Rather than separating the artist from his work, the image positions him in dialogue with it — presenting a portrait that supports the editorial feature by foregrounding authorship, identity, and environment in equal measure.
