EL ANATSUI | THE SCHOOL

Over the past few years, I've come to recognize Jack Shainman as one of my favorite galleries in NYC, representing a number of my most highly revered artists, including Nick Cave, El Anatsui, Barkley L. Hendricks, Carrie Mae Weems, Kay Hassan, and others.  When Shainman opened The School, an outpost of the gallery upstate in Kinderhook, NY last year, I couldn't wait to visit.

I finally had the chance to go over the weekend, on a trip to the Catskills.  It was a beautiful late summer day, and the little town of Kinderhook was bustling.  Not only was I anxious to experience a larger, more remote Shainman Gallery, but couldn't wait to see the exhibition of works by El Anatsui, one of my favorite artists.

See my post from Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui at the Brooklyn Museum in 2013.

Upon entering The School, a giant Anatsui globus was suspended from the ceiling.  Throughout the space, there were dozens of Anatsui works; the exhibition just seemed to go on and on and there were two or three more large scale pieces around every corner.  It was interesting to note the ways in which the pieces interacted with the space, some occupying intentionally "unfinished" rooms or corridors.  There were also earlier works that I had never seen, such as the Market pieces from 2004 (the room of little boxes, pictured above).

Visiting The School was such a welcome interlude to the weekend, and it renewed my love of El Anatsui's work and the expertise of Jack Shainman.  The exhibition is open on Saturdays until September 26.

Blouse: Goldhawk, thrifted

Shorts: Banana Republic (available here)

Shoes: Belle (also worn here and here)

Photos of me by Meri Feir; other photos by me.

EL ANATSUI

I am still reeling after experiencing one of the most beautiful and culturally relevant museum exhibitions I've seen in a very long time.

Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui is now on view at the Brooklyn Museum and is well worth a visit, even if you are not in New York.

El Anatsui (b. 1944) is a Ghanaian artist who is well known for his sculptural installations made using found materials such as aluminum cans, and the Brooklyn Museum exhibition boasts over 30 works.

The texture and painterly quality of the large-scale pieces is surprisingly reminiscent of Impressionism.  I was particularly reminded of Pointillism in the way that the large tapestry is made up of beautiful smaller elements that aren't necessarily salient but become noticeable upon closer inspection.  

The wall hangings are inspired by kente, a type of cloth created using an indigenous  weaving process that results in a silk/cotton blend and is native to the Ashanti and Akan people of the Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Referencing uli and nsibidi symbolism and drawing styles, Anatsui's stunning works also called to mind the tableaux of religious altarpieces, adorned with gold leaf.  However, the usage of found materials and nod to his Ghanaian heritage makes Anatsui's work more poignant than ever.

Dress: Aryn K. (very similar here, under $70)

Tights: H&M

Boots: Miista Val Tex

Handbag: Cynthia Rowley (some similar options here)

Photos of me by @kay_elle_pea and all other photos by me.