Otobong Nkanga

Otobong Nkanga's work delves into ecological themes of relationality and entanglement, examining the intricate social, political, and material connections between humans, landscapes, minerals, and the earth. Her practice fluidly navigates between conceptual rigor and sensual approaches, bridging divisions to constellate diverse elements.

Through drawing, installation, performance, photography, textiles, and sculpture, Nkanga translates the natural world—its plants, herbs, and organisms—into networked situations that evoke memory, labor, and ownership. Her research-based approach deftly weaves insights from geology, botany, poetry, and non-Western knowledge systems.

Beyond distinct art objects, Nkanga is known for ambitious, long-term projects like 'Landversation' and 'The Carved to Flow Foundation' in Nigeria, fostering dialogue and material culture research. Her work points to the planetary scale of her investigations, urgently gesturing towards more liveable futures through connectivity and reparative potentials.