DESCRIPTION/COMMENTARY
Yinka Shonibare CBE’s The American Library Collection is a series that celebrates the diversity of the American population and acts as an instigator of debate. The work consists of a set of shelves filled with books bound in the artist’s signature brightly colored, Dutch wax printed cotton fabric. On the spines of many of the books are the gold names of writers, artists, historians, business leaders, etc...both celebrated and less well known, who have shaped the American cultural landscape as we know it. The majority of these individuals are people who have immigrated to the United States, or are the descendants of immigrants. Other books feature the names of people who have spoken out against immigration, diversity or equality. Shonibare’s The American Library Collection reflects the significant contributions that people who have come to the United States have made to the culture and life of their adopted land and asks us to consider the issue of global migration and what would be the state of our society without the contributions of immigrants populations. It also reflects the views of people who do not support immigration, equality or diversity to reflect the on-going debates around these issues.

Available works in the series:


Chefs
Fashion Designers
Journalists
Scientists
Poets