Dusasa II, 2007, found aluminum, copper wire, plastic disks, 236 x 288 x 2 in, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York El Anatsui was born in 1944 in Anyako, Ghana. He studied at the College of Art, University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. He has spent most of his career working and teaching in Nigeria, at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka. Anatsui's sculptures are known for being movable and flexible. Each time they are installed, their form can be changed to fit different spaces. Anatsui has said that he doesn't want to control the way people see his work, instead he wants to let people interpret the pieces in their own way, and allow the works to change over time. He uses a range of materials, including wood, metal, wire, plastic, bottle caps, and other found objects to create "metal cloths" that hang and drape on walls. Some pieces resemble woven cloth, such as kente cloths, which is a type of traditional weaving made in Ghana, however his work is more sculptural. Some of the themes explored in Anatsui's work include colonialism in Africa, the connections between European and African culture, and the environment. The use of discarded objects, such as liquor bottle caps, in many of his works reflects the cultural exchange between Europe and Africa during and after the colonial period. This video shows Anatsui's studio process and how he integrates his community with his art. Questions
1. What do you think about the flexibility of Anatsui's work? Does it take away his control of how people see his art? 2. How does African culture influence Anatsui's work? 3. How are Anatsui's studio practices similar or different to other artists we have studied in the past?
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AuthorI am an art student at Maggie Walker Governor's School. On this site I post project progress, research, and photos of my final work. Archives
May 2018
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