The American Library

The American Library is a timely sequel to the Yinka Shonibare’s 2014 installation, The British Library. Both works are dedicated to the ideas supporting open borders, freedom of speech, educational rights, and blended heritage. The American Library is comprised of approximately six thousand books, each wrapped in colorful African wax cloth, a prominent feature of the artist’s work. Stamped in gold upon each spine is the name of a first or second generation immigrant to the United States who has contributed significantly to a particular field of art, science or American culture, or the name of an immigration dissenter who opposed such ideas.