Exhibition preview: Yinka Shonibare MBE – Fabric-ation, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, near Wakefield, until September 1 2013

As if it were not enough to enjoy his largest ever UK show and get the chance to display work in both the galleries and grounds of YSP, Yinka Shonibare is having his cake and eating it.

For starters, there are those letters after his name. He has now incorporated MBE into his working title, only offering the following justification: “It was the last thing you would have expected of me.”

And for seconds there is the tenor of some of his new work, including Revolution Kid (Fox), who totes a replica of Colonel Gadaffi’s revolver and one of the BlackBerry phones so handy for British rioters in this day and age.

But since the London-based sculptor is now a member of the British Empire rather than a colonial subject, you can forgive his eagerness to join the establishment. Indeed, it looks like a move of fox-like slyness given how likely it is he will continue making subversive comments.

In which case his naming on the honours list may come back to haunt whoever puts together such things. Another piece in the show tackles immigration with fabric-ated aliens coming in to land on fantastical flying machines.

More than 30 works are on display and, along with sculpture, include film, photography, painting and collage. The new show also offers an early opportunity to see how the Nigerian/British artist deals with working outdoors.

• Open 10am-4pm (closed May 10). Admission free. Follow the park on Twitter @YSPsculpture.
  
  

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