SPOTLIGHT WEDNESDAY
El Anatsui
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Its one of those moments where you just stare at his intricate artwork and wonder, “How does someone even come up with this technique?!” [/dropcap]
Technique. This is undoubtedly the most intriguing factor of El Anatsui’s work. One of the greatest African contemporary artists of our time.
Making use of aluminium bottle covers, wood, iron nails, cassava graters, railway sleepers, etc., he expertly crafts detailed sculptural forms that leave one in deep thought.
I have viewed his work at previous exhibitions, and could not help but admire the mastery of the work and dedication to the vision.
El Anatsui is a seasoned artist with immense experience both in teaching and creating art. His teaching experience includes lecturing at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1975.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that he has been widely exhibited nationally and internationally. These include: the Brooklyn Museum, the Clark Art Institute, Rice University Art Gallery, Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Venice Biennale, the Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona, the Royal ontario Museum, etc.
Place of Birth: Anyako, Ghana
Date of Birth: 1944
Check out some of his amazing artwork!
Article by Layo Bright.
Sources:
El Anatsui, http://www.octobergallery.co.uk/artists/anatsui/
El Anatsui, Artist biography at the National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.’. Retrieved 24 January 2010. http://africa.si.edu/exhibits/anatsui.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Anatsui
Images:
https://antonecontento.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/
http://www.jackshainman.com/artists/el-anatsui/
http://www.eatmedaily.com/2009/03/at-the-armory-show-installations-by-el-anatsui-food-art/
Video:
http://www.jackshainman.com/artists/el-anatsui/
