Yinka Shonibare CBE- The British Library | Brighton Festival / Tate Modern, UK

Highlighting the impact of immigration on British culture, The British Library by artist Yinka Shonibare CBE is a site-specific installation with a digital platform for visitors to join in the discussion.

The installation consists of 6,328 hardback books individually covered in colourful ‘Dutch wax print’ fabric and arranged on rows of shelving. Names are printed in gold leaf on the spines of 2,700 of the books, the majority of which are of first- or second-generation immigrants to Britain, both celebrated and lesser-known, who have made significant contributions to British culture and history. Among names of those who have opposed immigration also appear. Adjacent to the bookshelves is a study space with tablets, where viewers are able to access the artwork’s website, learn more about the people named on the books, and review materials selected by the artist that represent different perspectives on immigration. Visitors are also invited to submit their own stories using the tablets and a selection of these responses is made available on the website.

Acquired by Tate in 2019, The British Library was originally co-commissioned by HOUSE Biennale and Brighton Festival for the Old Reference Library at the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery. The installation has since been presented at Museu Afro Brasil, São Paulo as well as Turner Contemporary, Margate in 2016, and was shown as part of the Diaspora Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2017.