Born in London and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Yinka Shonibare returned to the United Kingdom to study at the Byam Shaw School of Art and later at Goldsmiths College. His practice emerged in the 1990s, gaining significant attention for his interrogation of the complex relationship between Africa and Europe, particularly regarding the legacy of the British Empire.

His signature aesthetic involves the use of Ankara fabric, which he employs to dress headless mannequins in Victorian-style costumes. These sculptures, alongside his photography and film installations, serve as a critique of historical narratives and the construction of national identity. Due to physical paralysis, Shonibare directs a team of assistants to execute his conceptual designs.

Shonibare remains a prominent figure in the global contemporary art scene, with his works held in major institutional collections. Recent developments include the inclusion of his pieces in a significant donation of works by artists from the African diaspora to the Tate, further cementing his influence in contemporary discourse on post-colonialism.