Morris-Jumel Mansion presents

Yinka Shonibare MBE: Colonial Arrangements

Morris-Jumel Mansion
65 Jumel Terrace
New York, NY 10032

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New York, NY (2/23/2015): On May 1st, Morris-Jumel Mansion, in partnership with the Historic House Trust of New York City, will open Yinka Shonibare MBE: Colonial Arrangements. English-born Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare MBE’s work explores identity, race, gender and the cross-pollination of cultures through the use of Dutch wax textiles, period costumes and mixed media. Colonial Arrangements is being held in conjunction with the 250^th anniversary of Morris-Jumel Mansion, built in 1765.

Colonial Arrangements, which is scheduled to run till August 31st, will feature a newly commissioned work by Shonibare, one utilizing theatrical techniques to create an apparition of Eliza Jumel, the mansion’s longest-tenured resident. In addition, placed throughout Morris-Jumel’s  18^th and 19^th century period rooms will be sculptures of children clothed in period costumes made of Dutch wax batik cotton textile—work taken from the series “Mother and Father Worked Hard So I Can Play.”

Set within the Mansion’s well-appointed interiors, Shonibare’s work elucidates, vivifies and problematizes Morris-Jumel’s deeply woven history, which stretches from the colonial period to the present. Colonial Arrangements gives occasion to discuss the impact of transcontinental trade on America during the 18^th and 19^th centuries, and address the lives of the era’s men, women and children. And, as the exhibition’s name suggests, Shonibare’s work draws attention to colonialism’s role in shaping—arranging, if you will—the social and cultural structures in which the residents of Morris-Jumel lived.

About Morris-Jumel Mansion

Built in 1765, Morris-Jumel Mansion is Manhattan’s oldest house. Headquarters to General George Washington during the battle of New York, Morris-Jumel has played host to presidents, senators, cabinet members and royalty. The year 2015 is the Mansion’s 250th anniversary. To celebrate, Morris-Jumel is staging throughout the year a panoply of exciting sestercentennial events, including a benefit performance of Lin-Manuel Miranda’ smash musical, Hamilton; an exhibition of new and classic work by the world-renowned artist Yinka Shonibare MBE; an evening onboard an exact replica of Lafayette’s frigate L’Hermione; a Washington Heights community celebration; and a nighttime reenactment of dramatic scenes from Morris-Jumel history. For more information on these as well as other events and activities, please visit morrisjumel.org or email [email protected].

Morris-Jumel Mansion, located at 65 Jumel Terrace, New York, NY, is a not-for-profit museum open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Committed to preserving, interpreting, and making relevant to diverse audiences the Mansion’s illustrious past and varied collection of period art and furnishings, Morris-Jumel is a member of the Historic House Trust of New York City and the American Alliance of Museums.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]