Fresh submissions are invited from researchers, curators, art historians, museum practitioners, artists, colleagues, friends, relations, associates, former students of El Anatsui, and other interested parties for the re-issuing of The World Celebrates El Anatsui @ 80.
This second edition is imminent considering the fact that the first edition was produced in a hurry to meet the 4th February, 2024 birthday anniversary of El Anatsui with prime focus on University of Nigeria former friends and colleagues of Anatsui.
This edition is open to everyone across the globe that has/had any previous encounter with the celebrant. Most scholars and associates considered the earlier 3 weeks deadline too short. It is on this background that we are giving contributors 4 months deadline, starting from April 22 – August 22, 2024 to send in their submissions. (Please note: All previous contributors to the first edition who wish to revise their submissions are welcome). Recall that El Anatsui turned 80 on 4th February 2024, and the first edition of this legacy-book project was part of the activities that marked the 80th birthday celebration in honour of the global icon.
El Anatsui (Ikedire 1 of Nsukka, Nigeria and the Torgbi Kekeli 1 of Anyanko Woeto, Ghana) is an emeritus Professor at the University of Nigeria, where he spent 47 years of his active career life. He is a world-renowned sculptor and scholar whose works are in major art galleries, museums, and cultural centres across the globe. Amongst them are his famous aluminium crown cork sculptures created from waste liquor bottle caps that demystify the notions of conventional classification in the visual arts. Recently, Times International listed El Anatsui as one of “100 most influential persons on earth”.
El represents different things to different people. Interested persons are, therefore, requested to send in their long or short contributions portraying their version of this oracular figure in any of the following forms: Pedagogical/Biographical Essays; Tributes, Commendations and Attestations; Poems Dedicated to Ikedire; Open Letters, Short Messages and Greetings; Birthday Wishes, Felicitations, Reflective Essays, etc.
Short Submissions could be a page or half, and long essays should be between three A4 to five A4 sized papers and in a single line spacing. You can send to the following email addresses and WhatsApp numbers:
Assoc. Prof. G. N. Mbajiorgu, +2348050511777, +2349132467420 mbajiorgugreg@gmail.com
Chikaogwu Kanu, +2348033670897, chikamikekanu@gmail.com
Signed: Associate Professor G. N. Mbajiorgu (fellow of theatre arts and NURESDEF Laureate)
Consultant Editor and Official Member of El Anatsui @ 80 Planning Committee