Ghana’s Debut at Venice Biennale 2019 with El Anatsui’s New Tapestries

With a pavilion designed by acclaimed architect Sir David Adjaye, Ghana is to participate for its first time at this year’s Venice Biennale 2019. The nation will present a star studded cast of artists that spans at least three generations, from renowned artists to upcoming generations, including Felicia Abban, John Akomfrah, El Anatsui, Ibrahim Mahama, Selasi Awusi Sosu, and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye.

 

For the national pavilion, El Anatsui, a grand figure in the African art world, has created three new tapestries from his trademark smashed bottle caps. The largest, a wall-engulfing yellow work, references the damage gold panning has wrought on Ghana’s rivers.

February 4, 2019
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