KNOXVILLE – Internationally known sculptor El Anatsui will present a lecture about his work at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 3, 101 University of Tennessee Hodges Library Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public.
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Nigerian sculptor El Anatsui
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“This event, like many of the events during Africa Semester, is an excellent opportunity to think beyond our daily lives and a chance to expand our knowledge and the horizons of art in a more international and global scene,” Jason Brown, UT assistant professor of sculpture, said.
The visiting Nigerian scholar and artist works with wood, using a chainsaw to carve his art. Through burning and painting the wood, Anatsui creates a sculpture that is also a painting.
“Anatsui describes his work as containers of memories, both personal and collective of the people in the region of Africa he comes from,” Brown said.
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Adinsibuli Stood Tall, 1995
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Born in Ghana, Anatsui has taught in Nigeria for the past 20 years at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. In 1990, Anatsui was chosen to represent the African continent during the 44th Venice Biennale.
A reception will follow the lecture, to be held at the Ewing Gallery in the Art and Architecture Building on campus. It is free and open to the public.
Brown said the reception will provide an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and general members of the community to interact with the artist on a more casual basis.
It also will be a good chance for people to see the African art show which is currently on display at the Ewing Gallery, he said.