El Anatsui's Monumental Bottle Cap Tapestries and Historical Narratives at Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum hosted El Anatsui's exhibition 'Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui' from February 8 to August 4, 2013, which originated at the Akron Art Museum. This showcase included Anatsui's renowned bottle cap tapestries alongside earlier creations. Anatsui, born in 1944 in Anyako, Ghana, relocated to Nigeria in 1975 to teach at the University of Nsukka. The exhibition commenced with 'Gli' (2010), inspired by Ewe walls. Featured works encompassed 'Black Block,' 'Red Block,' 'Ink Splash,' and 'Ozone Layer' (all 2010), while earlier pieces such as 'Conspirators' (1997) and 'Waste Paper Bags' (2003) illustrated his artistic evolution. The centerpiece measured 145 5/8 x 441 inches, exemplifying his vibrant use of color and weaving techniques to reinterpret historical narratives.
Key facts
- El Anatsui's exhibition 'Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui' was held at the Brooklyn Museum from February 8 to August 4, 2013.
- The exhibition originated at the Akron Art Museum in Ohio.
- El Anatsui was born in 1944 in Anyako, Ghana and is a member of the Ewe ethnic group.
- He moved to Nigeria in 1975 to teach at the University of Nsukka, where he has resided ever since.
- The installation 'Gli' (2010) references walls in Berlin, Jerusalem, and Notsie, a town in modern Togo.
- Notsie is where the Ewe people settled briefly in the 17th century before fleeing an oppressive ruler.
- Anatsui's work includes bottle cap tapestries, with the title piece measuring 145 5/8 x 441 inches.
- 'Waste Paper Bags' (2003) references 'Ghana-must-go' bags tied to 1980s tensions between Ghanaian refugees and Nigeria.
Entities
Artists
- El Anatsui
Institutions
- Brooklyn Museum
- Akron Art Museum
- University of Nsukka
- University of Science and Technology in Kumasi
Locations
- Brooklyn
- New York
- United States
- Ohio
- Anyako
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- Nsukka
- Kumasi
- Berlin
- Germany
- Jerusalem
- Israel
- Notsie
- Togo
- West Africa