Otobong Nkanga
Senegal/Switzerland | Painting
His works combine figurative and abstract elements to address political and social issues, often drawing on African history and mythology.
Exhibitions
"Otobong Nkanga: To Dig a Hole That Collapses Again"
2012 - Tate Modern, London, UK
A solo exhibition that featured Nkanga’s exploration of the relationship between humans, natural resources, and the environment. Her multimedia works included performance, installation, and drawing, examining the extraction and exploitation of natural resources in postcolonial contexts.
"Otobong Nkanga: From Where I Stand"
2015 - Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
A major solo exhibition that highlighted Nkanga’s interdisciplinary approach, combining elements of drawing, installation, photography, and performance. The exhibition focused on themes of memory, territory, and the material and metaphorical value of land.
"Sharjah Biennial 13: Tamawuj"
2017 - Sharjah, UAE
Nkanga participated in this international biennial, where her work addressed issues of sustainability, geopolitics, and the social impact of natural resource exploitation. Her installations and performances engaged with the biennial’s broader themes of ecology and the environment.
"Gwangju Biennale: The Eighth Climate (What Does Art Do?)"
2016 - Gwangju, South Korea
Group exhibition where Nkanga’s work was featured, focusing on the role of art in addressing global ecological and social crises. Her contributions explored the interconnectedness of landscapes, resources, and communities, emphasizing the environmental impact of human activities.
"Otobong Nkanga: Veins Aligned"
2018 - Tate St Ives, Cornwall, UK
A solo exhibition that included large-scale installations, textiles, and drawings, exploring the metaphorical and literal connections between the human body, the environment, and the mining of natural resources. The exhibition reflected on the historical and contemporary implications of resource extraction.
"Biennale de Lyon: Mondes flottants"
2017 - Lyon, France
Group exhibition where Nkanga’s work was included, examining themes of migration, displacement, and the fluidity of identity in a globalized world. Her installations focused on the impact of these themes on the environment and communities, particularly in Africa.