This document provides information about Yinka Shonibare's artwork "Double Dutch" (1994) and includes an activity exploring pattern making techniques inspired by African art and textiles. "Double Dutch" uses Dutch wax printed cotton canvases that reference the complex interactions between Europe, Asia, and Africa. The activity asks students to create their own pattern on canvas using shapes and tones, applying techniques like reflection, rotation, and repetition. Success criteria evaluate designs based on accuracy of shapes, use of tone, tonal range, and reference to African art forms.

1. A section of Yinka Shonibar’s ‘Double Dutch’ 1994
Acrylic paint on wall, emulsion, and acrylic on 50 Dutch
wax printed cotton canvases
Starter activity: Compare the two pieces of art and
design below, answering questions 1-3
A textile sample of an African print on
fabric. Unknown designer.
1. What techniques have been used to create pattern?
2. Where are the lines of symmetry on the textile sample to the right.
3. What does the expression ‘double Dutch’ mean?
4
mins

2. Exploring decorative pattern
British-born Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare MBE (b. 1962) works across diverse
artistic media to explore ideas about African contemporary identity and the legacy
of European colonialism in the present.
Originally introduced in place of canvas for Shonibare's paintings, Dutch wax fabric
is rich with meaning for the artist. Inspired by Indonesian batiks and produced in
Europe for the West African market in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it has
come to symbolize for Shonibare the complex web of economic and racial
interactions--and interdependencies--between Europe, Asia and Africa.
(cited from http://africa.si.edu/exhibits/shonibare/intro.html)

3. To learn how to apply pattern making techniques
to design a decorative pattern in response to
African Art and Design.
Activities
1. Starter activity, reflect on how a patterns
are made.
2. Create your own decorative design using the reference
sheet provided and fabric examples to draw your own
pattern on canvas in pencil and biro.

4. What is a pattern?

5. • REFLECT • ROTATE
• REPEAT

6. SHONIBARE AND AFRICAN
TEXTILE INSPIRED RESPONSES
ACTIVITY 3 - 10 MINS
5 Original design created with strong shapes and reference to
African Art and Design. Tonal range and mark making is evident.
4 An interesting pattern created using pattern making techniques
accurately to reproduce shapes. Tone used effectively.
3 The pattern is created using strong shapes and tone.
2 A pattern has been created with most shapes reproduced accurately.
1 Pattern making techniques employed with some accuracy. ✔

7. Success criteria + evaluation
5 Original design created with strong shapes and reference to
African Art and Design. Tonal range and mark making is evident.
4 An interesting pattern created using pattern making techniques
accurately to reproduce shapes. Tone used effectively.
3 The pattern is created using strong shapes and tone.
2 A pattern has been created with most shapes reproduced accurately.
1 Pattern making techniques employed with some accuracy. ✔
Yinka Shonibare’s ‘Double Dutch’ 1994
Acrylic paint on wall, emulsion, and acrylic on 50 Dutch
wax printed cotton canvases

8. Employ pattern making techniques to complete the
African Textile design worksheet.
Steps for success:
1. Use pencil to draw shapes.
2. Add tone carefully with pencil and coloured pencil.
3. Employ different mark making techniques. Use tone
accurately. Consider tonal range and mark making.
Tonal Range in
coloured pencil
5
mins
5 Original design created with strong shapes and reference to
African Art and Design. Tonal range and mark making is evident.
4 An interesting pattern created using pattern making techniques
accurately to reproduce shapes. Tone used effectively.
3 The pattern is created using strong shapes and tone.
2 A pattern has been created with most shapes reproduced accurately.
1 Pattern making techniques employed with some accuracy. ✔