El Anatsui review: the great Ghanaian sculptor is the talk of London

• The international art world is celebrating the Ghanaian artist El Anatsui in London.
• This and another two significant exhibitions by Anatsui are happening simultaneously in London.
• Anatsui spent decades teaching sculpture and art education at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka.

The Tate show

• Many came from all continents to celebrate a master artist whose practice transcends race, generation and materials.
• Yet the opening night crowd presented an African flavour – the kind you see at very important events in Nigeria.
• The installation, curated by Tate Modern’s Osei Bonsu and Dina Akhmadeeva, is presented in three acts.

The three acts

• Let me walk you through these staged acts.
• At the entrance a visitor is greeted by plaques of texts cast in red against black.
• Act I: The red moon speaks of how capitalism has driven global connections between continents through waters and sails.
• This black sculpture suggests black gold – crude oil, coal and other fossil fuels – extracted from the earth.

Amuche Nnabueze does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.