El Anatsui

El Anatsui was born in Ghana in 1944. He earned a bachelor's degree in sculpture and a postgraduate diploma in art education from the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. From 1975 to 2010, he was professor of sculpture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Anatsui startet out making sculptures using the West-African tribal vernacular. Since then he has become famous for his “Gawu Tapestries”

Akua's Surviving Children, 1996

“Gawu”

In 1999 Anatsui came across a trash bag filled with aluminium bottle caps and softrink cans, industrial waste from the local liquor industry. By “sewing” these colorful metal pieces together with copper wire he created an new kind of art object half sculpture, half wall hanging, which he called “Gawu”. Gawu means “metal cloak” in Ewe, Anatsui's native language. They became a major sensation in European and American art exhibitions. Barbara saw his solo exhibition at the Fowler Museum at UCLA three times!

Hovor, 2003

Hovor, detail, 2003

The hangings are huge and one has to get very close to see their detail. Anatsui now employs a number of assistants who help him knit together his elaborate designs

Untitled Gawu at the Armory in New York 2009

Detail

Adinkra Sasa, 2003

This dark hanging was assembled from hundreds of labels of liquor bottles woven into the tapestry. Adinkra Sasa is a kind of doti worn at funerals. Seen close up the labels – Dark Sailor, Black Gold – tell of a grim period in African history.

Versatility, 2006

Dusasa 2, 2007

Many Moons, 2007

Blue Moon, 2008

Afor, 2010, Photo Jack Shainman Gallery New York