About El Anatsui
Ghanaian · 1944–present · Contemporary, Sculpture
El Anatsui transforms discarded bottle caps into large, shimmering textile-like sculptures, exploring themes of history and consumption.
Read full biography →El Anatsui's works are held in 2 museums worldwide.
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🇺🇸 United States
2 museums
- 2 works
Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York City, United States
Sun–Tue, Thu 10:00–17:00; Fri–Sat 10:00–21:00; closed WedAdults $30, students $17 (pay-what-you-wish for NY residents)86 St (4, 5, 6)Confirm on museum website before visiting. - 1 works
Museum of Modern Art
Midtown Manhattan, United States
Daily 10:30–17:30 (Sat until 19:00; first Fri of month until 20:00)Adults $30, students $17Fifth Av / 53 St (E, M)Confirm on museum website before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was El Anatsui?
El Anatsui is a Ghanaian-born artist who trained in Ghana and spent most of his adult life in Nigeria. He is unique among African artists because he established his international reputation without moving his studio to Europe or America.What is El Anatsui known for?
El Anatsui is known for his abstract artworks. He is also known for working with wood, brandmalereitechniken, and experimenting with terracotta fragments.What was El Anatsui's art style?
El Anatsui's abstract artworks are considered unusual. His early work included wood sculptures and clay pieces, often drawing on Ghanaian adinkra symbols and Igbo uli designs.
Sources
Where to See guide aggregates verified holdings of El Anatsui's works across the following collections.
- [1] book McLean, Ian; , Double Desire Used for: biography.
- [2] book Penelope J.E. Davies, Walter B. Denny, Frima Fox Hofrichter, Joseph Jacobs, Ann S. Roberts, David L. Simon, Janson's History of Art_ The Western Tradition (8th Edition) Used for: biography.
- [3] book Fred S. Kleiner, Helen Gardner, Kleiner & Mamiya, Gardner's Art through the Ages, Western Perspective, 16th edition, Vol. 2, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Used for: biography.
Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-05-15. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.
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