El Anatsui’s sculptural experiments with media and form have challenged the definition of sculpture itself. In particular, his metal wall-hangings have received international acclaim. Throughout a distinguished forty-year career as both an artist and teacher, El Anatsui has addressed a wide range of social, political and historical concerns and embraced an equally diverse range of media and processes. In 2013, one of his largest metal wall-hangings to utilize his bottle-top technique, TSIATSIA – searching for connection, adorned the façade of Burlington House. Created to coincide with the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2013, this remarkable work won the prestigious Charles Wollaston Award.

The exhibition will focus on a range of intricate metal sculptures.  October Gallery has worked with El Anatsui since 1993, during which time, his work has received worldwide recognition. These magnificent sculptures have been collected by major international museums, including the British Museum, London; the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York and the Centre Pompidou, Paris, amongst others. Over the last two decades, the works have increased in size, enhancing the external walls of museums and galleries around the world.

These larger external installations include: Ozone Layer and Yam Mound on the Old National Gallery of Berlin (2010); Broken Bridge I, on the Musée Galliera, Paris (2012) and Broken Bridge II on the High Line, New York. In 2013, the Brooklyn Museum, New York, exhibited a major solo exhibition, Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui.