The article in focus in this month of July is Ocula Magazine’s “Otobong Nkanga to Capture Life’s Rhythms at MoMA”, which delves into Otobong Nkanga’s first solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, titled ‘Cadence’. The exhibition, which will run from October 10 to June 8, 2025, features a blend of sculptures, texts, and sounds.
Nkanga’s work explores the natural rhythms of ecological cycles and societal changes, integrating elements of the earth, its inhabitants, and their resources. ‘Cadence’ includes a large tapestry depicting the sea, ecological systems, cosmic imagery, hanging sculptures, ceramic tablets bearing Nkanga’s poetry, and an enveloping sound piece.
Otobong Nkanga’s work has redefined our perceptions of Earth and humanity’s role within it, addressing the allure and destruction of the natural environment amid industrial and wartime disruptions. She was recently honored with the Nasher Prize for her significant impact on contemporary sculpture. Her work has been recognized globally, earning her a Special Mention at the 58th Venice Biennale in 2019.
Nkanga, born in 1974 in Nigeria, resides and creates her art in Antwerp, Belgium. She studied at Obafemi Awolowo University and the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, earning a Master’s in Performing Arts at DasArts in Amsterdam, focusing on Advanced Research in Theatre and Dance studies. Nkanga has participated in prestigious artist-in-residence programs, including the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten and DAAD Berlin.
The full article is available in the Ocula’s source link.
Sources: Ocula, Lisson Gallery