Otobong Nkanga (b. 1974) is a Nigerian-born multidisciplinary artist based in Belgium. Her art explores relationship between humans and land, delving into themes such as ownership and control of land resources and the impact of geography on identity formation. These themes are often intertwined in her practice.
Emulating maps and topographical strata, Nkanga’s installations invite us to reflect on the complex webs of interaction that exist between culture, identity formation, and the ecological violence of mineral extraction – and on how everything ultimately links back to land, on which we all depend.
Nkanga uses combinations of drawing, painting, sculpture, performance, photography, video, tapestry, poetry and pedagogical approaches in her practice.