Art: Brahim El Anatsui (El Anatsui)

First piece of art: Society Woman’s Cloth, (2004) Second piece of art: Wastepaper Bags, (2004)

"Art grows out of each particular situation and I believe that artists are better off working with whatever their environment throws up." El Anatsui

I first saw El Anatsui's work at The British Museum and was mezmorized. El Anatsui's (was born in Anyako, and trained at the College of Art, University of Science and Technology, in Kumasi) - installations are breath taking -on a grand scale. The piece [I saw] at The British Museum resembled a giant, diamond encrusted rug- from afar, -and on closer inspection, -millions of discarded everyday objects -such as bottle tops and flattened food tins -all woven together to create an incredible sculptural -tapestry (like a traditional kente cloth). Described by Britain's The Independent -as one of the fifty greatest cultural figures shaping the continent -El Anatsui is one of Africa’s most prolific sculptors -and is noted, for taking organic mediums such as wood, metal and clay -and transforming them into powerful (and evocative) visual presentations. El Anatsui is currently Professor of Sculpture, at the University of Nigeria. www.elanatsui.com