YINKA SHONIBARE: CREATURES OF THE MAPPA MUNDI
Acclaimed artist, Yinka Shonibare CBE has created new textile works about immigration and the environment, inspired by the medieval Mappa Mundi.
Commissioned by Meadow Arts for Hereford Cathedral, Shonibare, who was awarded a CBE (Commander of The British Empire) in the 2019 New Year Honours List, launched the new artwork, titled Creatures of the Mappa Mundi at the Cathedral last month.
Creatures of the Mappa Mundi explores what Shonibare refers to as:
“Two of the most pressing concerns of our time, environmental protection and immigration. Inspired by the ability of the Mappa Mundi to still be reflecting our contemporary concerns of fear of the stranger or “other” which often leads to xenophobia. The depictions of extinct creatures of legend are a reminder that we may yet become extinct if we do not take care of our environment.”
Displayed next to the Cathedral’s Chained Library, the Hereford Mappa Mundi is the largest medieval world map to survive. One of its most remarkable features is that it is illustrated with strange people and animals, drawn by artists from the exaggerated descriptions of travellers to far off lands. Shonibare has been inspired by the map and its alien creatures to create a series of colourful textile quilts.
The quilt works depict various creatures and strangers from the map and feature the vibrant Dutch-wax fabrics that have become iconic of Shonibare’s work. Each piece has been made with the help of different groups of people across the county of Herefordshire, including students from Hereford College of Arts, Hereford Courtyard’s Creative Ageing group and a group of disabled people assisted by charity Echo with Rose Tinted Rags, a textile studio in Hereford.
This project is part of ‘Hidden Gems’, supported by Herefordshire’s a Great Place, a Herefordshire Cultural Partnership cultural development project delivered by Rural Media. Great Place is co-funded by Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery, with support from Historic England.
Creatures of the Mappa Mundi is on display in the Mappa Mundi & Chained Library Exhibition until Saturday 1 June 2019, normal admission charges apply.
