This work is Shonibare's response to the Bicentenary of the Parliamentary Abolition of the Slave Trade in 2007. The Wanderer was the last slave ship to import slaves from Africa to the United States in 1858 despite the outlawing of importation many years before. The 'African' batik fabric depicts slippers of varying sizes scattered across the sails which seem to allude to the way enslaved families were brutally separated from each other.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Wanderer, 2007
Date supported
2007
Medium and material
Wooden model with wax printed cotton sails in glass and wood vitrine
Dimensions
Model: 71 x 101.6 x 22.9 cm; vitrine: 77.5 x 111.8 x 31.8 cm
Grant
12300
Total cost
32300
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