Born in London 1962, grew up in Lagos.
Lives and works in London. 

1984–1989 Byam Shaw School of Art, London
1989–1991 MFA, Goldsmiths College, London

2002 documenta XI, Kassel, curator Okwui Enwezor
2003 Fellow, Goldsmiths College, London
2004 Nominated for the Turner prize, Tate Britain, London
2004 IASPIS, The International Artists’ Studio Program in Stockholm
2004 Vasa, Moderna Museet, Stockholm
2004 The film Un Ballo in Maschera, Moderna Museet and SVT Stockholm
2005 Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
2007 The 52nd Venice Biennale
2007 Honorary Doctor, Huron University, Ontario,
2009 Founded ”Guest Projects”, Artist Residency Project Space in London
2010 Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle, the Fourth Plinth, Trafalgar Square, London
2010 Honorary Doctor, the Royal College of Art, London
2012 Fellow, University of the Arts, London
2013 Royal Academician, the Royal Academy of Arts, London
2016 African Art Award, National Museum of African Art, Washington D.C.
2019 Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
2019 Founded Yinka Shonibare Foundation and Guest Artists Space Foundation in Lagos
2020 Robson Orr TenTen Award, London
2021 Art Icon Award, Whitechapel Gallery, London

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