Blog #5

Yinka Schonibares' "Cha Cha Cha" is significant in a few different ways according to Manthia Diawara. The first being the title of the piece itself. The title is tied to the song that represents African independence despite its roots in Cuban culture. The shoes are covered in Dutch wax, which has history and controversy in Africa. Dutch wax is produced in European countries like Manchester and Holland. It is then shipped and sold in African countries. Groups of Africans started wearing this non traditional clothing. Over several generations the people have started to embrace this clothing as their own identity. They have become proud of their cultures and traditions as well as their independence. Africans are embracing the fact that they are prospering in poverty. One way Yinka Schonibares challenges essentialist notions of African identity is through new ideas in his work. Challenging the viewer to question what is high art? Who is the creator of fine art, and does race play a role in what is considered to be high art, or outsider art. Shonibares touches on these ideas of identity and represents two cultures into one work of art.