Yinka Shonibare: Taking Flight

Taking Flight presents a dozen major sculptures by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare in conversation with the Legion of Honor’s European art collections. Dancing with themes of flight and fight, the exhibition serves as both a mirror and a monument. Reflecting on Western art’s implication in imperial legacies, it offers a joyous vision of what a more honest and inclusive telling of art history might look like. Tracing the history of colonialism, the exhibition also explores contemporary issues such as migration, homelessness, and climate change. With their insistence on beauty, humor, and joy, Shonibare’s tongue-in-cheek sculptures are a feast for the eye and mind. Taking Flight takes place throughout the museum’s galleries and grounds. A centerpiece of the exhibition is our acquisition Monument to the Restitution of the Mind and Soul, first shown at the Venice Biennale in 2024.