About Us

About Us

The Yinka Shonibare Foundation (YSF) was established in 2019 by the eminent British-Nigerian Artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA , whose international multi-disciplinary practice explores colonialism and post-colonialism within the context of globalisation. The Yinka Shonibare Foundation is a UK registered charity dedicated to facilitating international cultural exchange and supporting creative practices through residencies, collaborations and education projects.

Yinka’s vision behind the Foundation is to support the development of new work and ideas, to foster mutual understanding of cultural differences as we break down traditional barriers of privilege and wealth, to build access and create new pathways to education, to forge new networks and a resilient cultural infrastructure that will enable the next generation to thrive, not just survive.

The Foundation's vision will be implemented through hosting and supporting residencies, education and professional development programmes in the UK and Nigeria. In Nigeria, partnering with our sister organisation Guest Artists Space Foundation a registered non-profit, the Foundation will provide multi-use live/work residency spaces in the heart of the dynamic city of Lagos and on a rural working farm in Ijebu in Ogun State.

The Foundation is guided by these values:
 

  1. Collaboration - working together, actively supporting and developing cultural diplomacy, acting as catalysts for mutual exchange.
  2. Integrity - firm adherence to our moral code and values, ethical and honest, accountable and diligent.
  3. Empowerment - being proactive to ensure that we respect welcome and empower those with diverse backgrounds and experiences in our procurement, programmes and initiatives.
  4. Education - the importance of learning and inspiration, empowering individuals and communities to build from the ground up. Developing professional practice and knowledge sharing.
  5. Environment / Sustainability - working towards sustainable environmental, cultural and economic choices in what we do, supporting local economic viability, building sustainable infrastructures, minimising negative impact on the environment, an awareness of our natural resources.

The Foundation has a diverse international board of Trustees supported by an advisory board of prominent global artists, curators and philanthropists, who bring a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge to inform our work.

Our Trustees

Our Team

The Yinka Shonibare Foundation Advisors

El Anatsui
Alessio Antoniolli
Sonia Boyce
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Jane Cohan

Olafur Eliasson
Ekow Eshun
Stephen Friedman
Antony Gormley
Isaac Julien

Femi Lijadu
Clare Lilley
Farshid Moussavi
Dudun Peterside
Bob & Roberta Smith

Wolfgang Tillmans
Kara Walker
Zoé Whitley

How You Can Support Our Foundation

Your generous contributions support the Foundation’s distinctive interdisciplinary residencies, research, education programmes and public events.