‘Sanctuary

City’

explores

places

of

refuge

in

dark

times

The Mildred S. Lee Gallery at the Rose Art Museum in Waltham has gone dark. As part of the installation “Yinka Shonibare: Sanctuary,” visitors enter a darkened space. When their eyes adjust, they see a small city of black wooden structures lit up and glowing from the inside. Each of these models represents a building that has provided a safe haven throughout history, a literal light in dark times.

Walking through the gallery, you’ll spot the Amnesty International headquarters in London, Notre Dame in Paris, the Tokeiji Temple in Kamakura, Japan, and others. Together, the buildings create “Sanctuary City,” a sprawling installation by British Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare.