Yinka Shonibare

The Royal Academy of Art unveils RA Family Album, a major large-scale public artwork by Yinka Shonibare, with over 160 black and white photos and prints.

The Royal Academy of Arts today unveiled a major large-scale public artwork by Yinka Shonibare. It is wrap around the scaffolding on the facade of Burlington Gardens whilst the building is undertaking a transformative redevelopment in the lead up to the Royal Academy’s 250th anniversary in 2018.

Yinka Shonibare, Burlington Gardens, The Royal Academy of Arts, 2016 — Yinka Shonibare, *RA Family Albums*, Burlington Gardens, The Royal Academy of Arts, 2016

RA Family Album, 2016, consists of over 160 black and white photographs and prints, showcasing the people who have made the RA an inclusive place for artists, creativity and learning since its foundation in 1768. The 71m width design is topped by one of Shonibare’s renowned colourful fabric designs which drips down over the images.

Yinka Shonibare, RA Family Albums, Burlington Gardens, The Royal Academy of Arts, 2016 — Yinka Shonibare, *RA Family Albums*, Burlington Gardens, The Royal Academy of Arts, 2016

Shonibare worked closely with the Royal Academy’s archive to collate a broad range of photographs and prints which best represent his view of the RA story. Combining archival and contemporary images, his monumental work reveals the exhibitions, events, guests and visitors, social and academic events, Royal Academicians, members of staff, RA Schools students and behind-the-scenes stories, bringing life at the RA to the outside world.