Diary of a Victorian Dandy

work by Shonibare

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July 20, 2026

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"Diary of a Victorian Dandy" is a series of photographs by Yinka Shonibare, a British artist of Nigerian heritage. In this work, Shonibare portrays himself as a dandy, a man known for his meticulous attention to appearance and social standing. The photographs are inspired by the narrative works of William Hogarth.12

Shonibare's art often explores themes of authenticity, identity, colonialism, and power dynamics. A recurring element in his work is the use of Dutch wax-printed fabric, which, despite being associated with Africa, has a complex history of production and cultural appropriation, originating in Europe and imitating Indonesian textiles. This use of fabric highlights Shonibare's examination of cultural exchange and hybrid identities.31

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Yinka Shonibare
Prominent pieces
In such works as Diary of a Victorian Dandy (1998; based on the narrative works of British artist William Hogarth), Shonibare created a series of photographs featuring himself as a dandy in a variety of tableaux. He also portrayed the protagonist of an Oscar Wilde novel in the photographic…
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In such works as Diary of a Victorian Dandy (1998; based on the narrative works of British artist William Hogarth), Shonibare created a series of photographs featuring himself as a dandy in a variety of tableaux. He also portrayed the protagonist of an Oscar Wilde novel in the photographic…
Read More