Some works of art are just that. They're just something pretty to look at and not to be thought of in any meaningful way. This is not so for the pieces done by El Anatsui. Anatsui's purpose, when creating his works, is to have people think about them and what they might mean.
Through his use of wood, clay, and metal, Anatsui tries to explore the notions of change and regeneration. His interest in how objects are destroyed, changed, and regenerated is also carried over into his work.
At the completion of all Anatsui's work, though, his goal is for them to express a sort of freedom through its flexibility due to the way the materials were used.
Anatsui's pieces embody a sense of earthiness and wonder. Some of his works also seem as if they were artifacts from some long forgotten civilization instead of art that was recently created.
It's apparent that Anatsui puts a lot of attention and thought into his work, not just in the piece itself but in the way the piece is presented as well. It is through this attention and consideration that Anatsui is able to have his works come across as so intellectually complex.
Information provided by:
"El Anatsui." Art21. PBS, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2014.
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