Joe Fusaro, Senior Education Advisor for Art21, will lead this in-gallery program for adults that invites visitors to look closely at the stunning works in the exhibition and discuss Anatsui in the context of contemporary art. El Anatsui is featured in Season 6 of Art21’s Peabody Award-winning biennial television series, Art in the Twenty-First Century. Included are glimpses into his studio and insight into his use of language and symbols. In the contemplative environment of his studio, El Anatsui oversees assistants from the local community who work with him to create sculptures made from bottle caps. A richness and fluidity of meaning are found in Anatsui’s native language, Ewe (often used in the titles of his artwork), and in the adinkra symbol system he employs in many pieces. Join Joe Fusaro in this exploration of Anatsui’s art and practice.

El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to You about Africa is organized by the Museum for African Art, New York, and has been supported, in part, by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Lead support for UMMA’s installation is provided by the University of Michigan Health System, Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design; the University of Michigan Credit Union; and the James L. and Vivian A. Curtis Endowment Fund. Additional generous support is provided by the University of Michigan African Studies Center, CEW Frances and Sydney Lewis Visiting Leaders Fund, Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, Department of the History of Art, Institute for the Humanities, Museum Studies Program, and School of Natural Resources and Environment.