Otobong Nkanga. Of Cords Curling around Mountains

Published on the occasion of the solo exhibition devoted to Otobong Nkanga(Kano, Nigeria, 1974; lives and works in Antwerpen, Belgium), among the most important international contemporary artists of African origin who tackles urgent issues related to the ecological crisis and the environment, the exploitation of resources and sustainability, from a point of view that takes into account the history of colonialism with the consequent inequalities and repercussions on the social fabric.

Through a multidisciplinary approach and the use of expressive languages, such as sculpture, tapestry, drawing, video, photography, participatory projects and performances, in her works Otobong Nkanga explores the natural traces and the social and cultural dimensions of the human being, in a network complex of relations with the territory. Her works address urgent issues related to the ecological crisis and the environment, the exploitation of resources and sustainability, exploring the stories of colonialism and new forms of material art.

The monograph focuses on a new project, a site-specific installation designed for the five rooms of the third floor of the Castello (approximately 750 square meters). The installation includes two large carpets with irregular shapes inspired by minerals such as quartz and malachite, whose healing properties have been known since ancient times. Long hand-woven ropes branch off from each carpet, crossing the exhibition space. A number of objects and elements, both organic and handcrafted, are tied to the ropes, offering the experience of a relational environment, in which visitors can benefit from the healing and beneficial properties contained in the specific objects, becoming co-authors of new stories who in turn redesign the space.