Africa In Austin

Blanton Museum welcomes El Anatsui, shows scars of Africa

In a collaborative effort between The Blanton Museum of Art and the Museum for African Art in New York City, the much-anticipated El Anatsui retrospective, When I Last Wrote to You about Africa, opens this weekend at The Blanton.

The renowned Nigerian-born artist is coming to Austin to celebrate the opening of the exhibition and discuss his life's work with Lisa Binder from the Museum for African Art and Dr. Moyosore Okediji from the Department of Art and Art History at The University of Texas. This lecture is part of new Blanton Director Simone Wicha's commitment to engage dialogue between art experts both on and off campus.

There will definitely be plenty to say about Anatsui's work both during and after Saturday's lecture. The artist, who lives and works in Ghana, is internationally recognized as one of the most compelling artists of his generation. Using found objects from his environment, Anatsui reconstitutes their purpose into breathtaking works of art, impressive in both their scope and their ingenuity.

In the 1970s, Anatsui began using broken and reassembled ceramic fragments to represent the shattering of ancient African histories and cultures.

In the 1970s, Anatsui began using broken and reassembled ceramic fragments to represent the shattering of ancient African histories and cultures. Later, he employed burned, carved and etched wood scraps showing the recombined signs and symbols of cultures throughout Africa, a statement on the scars left behind by European colonialism.

Most recently, Anatsui has created woven tapestries made from discarded local liquor bottle caps. The flattened metal pieces are manipulated in such a delicate manner that they resemble fabric when assembled with thousands of like materials. The effect is a massive shimmering tapestry that billows and folds like a swath of impossible fabric.

Visitors to the Blanton have already experienced one of Anatsui's pieces, an untitled work that has been on display in the upstairs collection gallery since 2009. This looming wall installation is a perfect representation of his magnitude. During a personal tour of the Museum, Director Wicha explained that Anatsui allows the galleries to drape his tapestries how they would prefer, highlighting the dramatic movement and unusual materials.

According to Wicha, Anatsui's pieces encourage discussion on recycling, sustainability and the current state of African art. “I think this work speaks to many conversations, and I think it will be an exciting event for Austin. I really hope people love it as much as I do,” says Wicha.

This week, Austinites will be able to experience El Anatsui's work firsthand when his When I Last Wrote to You about Africa retrospective opens this week at the Blanton. Museum members will get a sneak preview of the exhibition on Saturday before and after the lecture. Everyone else will have to wait until Sunday to see the collection in its full glory.

unspecified

Outside the Lines

Buda artist releases intuitive drawing book with fun prompts

Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Artist Ronald Gross creates an intuitive drawing with crayon, which he considers a "joyful" medium.

Buda-based artist and writer Ronald Gross released a book in November called Unlock Your Creativity: A Guide to Intuitive Drawing, which will walk aspiring expressers through drawing without worry. On December 6, he'll be on hand to help in an intuitive drawing demo at Buda Public Library's Holiday Open House.

The book is a hands-on guide that teaches readers how to lean into their own desires and intuitions when drawing, whether they feel like an artist or not. In this way, intuitive drawing should feel relaxing, meditative, and ultimately, beneficial for mental health. If you find coloring books relaxing and meditative, intuitive drawing may have the same effect on you.

"Intuitive drawing is the practice of creating art without a specific plan or outcome in mind," says Gross. "It’s about letting your hand move freely, guided by emotion, curiosity, or subconscious impulses; not about making something perfect."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Intuitive drawing is simple, joyful, and according to Gross can calm the mind much like meditation. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

This book presents exercises to access a mindful state: freeform doodling, blind contouring drawing, drawing from the imagination, and drawing from emotions. For artists feeling stuck, Gross also includes plenty of exercises for overcoming creative blocks and even discusses ways intuitive drawing can be applied to other creative projects and areas of life.

In the December workshop, Gross will give a quick demonstration on how to create an intuitive drawing using nothing but lines, shapes, and simple marks. Then participants can try it out with a variety of crayons, because crayons are "tactile" and can quickly transport people into a "playful, unselfconscious space," according to Gross.

"The workshop is all about creating a supportive, judgment-free space to explore intuitive drawing," he says. "Attendees will leave with tools to keep practicing on their own and, hopefully, a renewed sense of creativity and playfulness."

An intuitive drawing from author and artist Ronald Gross. In college Gross was taught how to take a doodle and elevate it into fine art.Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross's own journey into intuitive drawing started at a young age, when he would doodle and sketch throughout the school day. Years later at the Academy of Art University, a professor encouraged him to lean into this more intuitive and abstract style of art. Since then, Gross has been exploring intuitive drawing's ability to access a meditative state, as well as tap into the subconscious mind.

"When you draw intuitively, you’re fully present in the moment," Gross says. "Your mind quiets, and you become attuned to the flow of your thoughts, feelings, and physical movements. It’s akin to meditation, only instead of sitting still, you’re actively channeling your inner experience onto the page."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Gross's intuitive drawings each evoke a different feeling through his simple use of color and linework. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross adds that over time, doing some of the exercises included in the book may even help boost confidence, since intuitive drawing can help people learn to trust their instincts.

"Intuitive drawing can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and help people reconnect with their inner selves," he adds. "It offers a space to process emotions, spark ideas, and break free from perfectionism or overthinking."

visual art drawing books