El Anatsui creates modern African art using found materials like driftwood and tin can lids, reflecting themes of the Danish slave trade and everyday life in Nigeria. His non-fixed artworks invite flexible display and interaction, emphasizing the significance of storytelling in various cultures. The document discusses the symbolic meanings of colors in kente cloth and encourages contemplation on storytelling through art using accessible materials.

1. El AnatsuiModern African Art

2. Materials:
Found driftwood
burned and held
together with
nails.
Meaning:
Wood washed ashore
represents each of the
Africans who crossed the
sea during the Danish slave
trade.
How can “found
objects” be
used to tell a
story?
El Anatsui began by working
with wood.

3. Materials:
Carved and
burned strips of
wood, paint
“Conspirators”
El’s pieces are meant to
be “non-fixed.” This
means, they are movable
and able to be displayed
in different ways. He
leaves the decision up to
the gallery/museum.
Why do you think he chooses to make
his artwork “non-fixed”?

4. If you were in
charge of
installing this
artwork, how
would you arrange
it and why?

5. Materials:
Tin can lids, connected
with copper wire.
Meaning:
These can lids come from the tops of
powdered and condensed milk, widely
used in Nigeria because the people
often do not have the electricity to
keep milk cold.
What kinds of materials could
the United States make a
sculpture from?
(Think about what products used the most)
What about YOU?

6. El Anatsui might be best known for creating these large
tapestries from liquor bottle caps.
Does it remind you of anything
you’ve seen before?

7. “Kente Cloth”
One of the most famous
fabrics from the Ghana
region in Africa.
According to Ashanti tradition,
•Black represents Africa
•Red represents the blood of forefathers
•Yellow represents gold
•Green represents the forest
First worn by kings and chiefs.

8. What similarities do
you see?

9. “Sacred Moon” Materials:
Aluminum and copper wire
Meaning: Made to resemble the shimmering sky as the
sun sets, El talks about the importance of storytelling in
different cultures. Commonly, the perfect time for story
telling is when the sun is setting, after the day’s work is
done.
Why do you think
story telling is
important?

10. What kind of stories is
El Anatsui telling
through his art work?

11. What story will you tell?
Last semester’s
“Story Telling”
tapestry.
7th Grade
collaboration
Materials:
Aluminum cans, cereal
boxes, plastic bottles,
copper wire.