El Anatsui

El Anatsui (1944- ) is a Ghanaian sculptor who has worked most of his career in Nigeria.  Anatsui had a large role in constructing African modernist forms. During his time as a young art student, he wanted to build a practice grounded in African art traditions. El Anatsui's use of discarded materials reflects his belief in the transformative power of reusing materials and the connection of that process to Africa. He is well known for his large bottlecap sculptures that reflect on the history of colonialism, trade, and textile traditions. His other works using found materials include wood sculptures and pottery.  Anatsui received his BA and postgraduate diploma both from the  Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana in 1968 and 1969 respectively.