{"id":11700,"date":"2026-06-18T22:43:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T22:43:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/?p=11700"},"modified":"2026-06-18T22:43:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T22:43:39","slug":"university-of-nigeria-nsukka-to-unveil-landmark-book-on-el-anatsui-africas-most-celebrated-contemporary-artist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/2026\/06\/18\/university-of-nigeria-nsukka-to-unveil-landmark-book-on-el-anatsui-africas-most-celebrated-contemporary-artist\/","title":{"rendered":"UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA TO UNVEIL LANDMARK BOOK ON EL ANATSUI, AFRICA’S MOST CELEBRATED CONTEMPORARY ARTIST\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scholars, Traditional Rulers, Cultural Icons, and Public Leaders to Gather in Honour of Global Art Legend<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), in collaboration with the University Senior Staff Club, cordially invites members of the academic community, the media, cultural institutions, art enthusiasts, alumni, traditional rulers, public office holders, and the general public to the formal unveiling of the landmark book:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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El Anatsui: The Man, the Myth, the Legend at 80 and Counting<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The historic event will be held on<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium (PAA), University of Nigeria, Nsukka.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>The book, a monumental 411-page compendium edited by\u00a0Associate Prof.\u00a0<\/span>Greg\u00a0Mbajiorgu<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Chikaogwu\u00a0Kanu<\/span>, celebrates the extraordinary life, scholarship, humanity, and artistic genius of\u00a0<\/span>Emeritus Professor El Anatsui<\/span><\/b>, the Ghanaian-born artist who lived and worked in Nsukka for forty-seven years and from that modest university town rose to become arguably the most influential Black visual artist of the contemporary era.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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More than a book launch, the event represents a celebration of a remarkable global phenomenon. From his creative base in Nsukka, El Anatsui transformed discarded materials into masterpieces that now adorn the world’s most prestigious museums, galleries, and cultural institutions. His artistic innovations have earned him international acclaim, culminating in his recognition\u00a0as the greatest black African artist on earth\u00a0and his elevation as one of\u00a0<\/span>Times International<\/span><\/i>\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>100\u00a0Most Influential Men in the World.\u00a0Indeed, few individuals have done more to project the name of Nsukka onto the global cultural map than El Anatsui. Through his work, the town has become a destination for scholars, artists, researchers, curators, collectors, and tourists from across the world. His story demonstrates how creativity can transform geography into destiny and how a university town can become a global cultural landmark.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The event will feature a comprehensive review of the book by renowned linguist, literary scholar, newspaper columnist, and public affairs analyst,\u00a0<\/span>Professor Chris Uchenna Agbedo<\/span>, whose review is expected to provide penetrating insights into the significance of the volume as a cultural archive, intellectual monument, and historical document.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The unveiling ceremony will bring together an impressive constellation of distinguished personalities from academia, government, traditional institutions, the arts, and the media.\u00a0The\u00a0<\/span>Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya<\/span>, will serve as the\u00a0<\/span>Chief Host<\/span>, while the\u00a0<\/span>President of the University Senior Staff Club, Professor\u00a0Chukwudi\u00a0Nnamchi<\/span>, will host the event.\u00a0The\u00a0<\/span>Chairman of the\u00a0Planning\u00a0Committee<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Professor Lazarus\u00a0Ogenyi<\/span>, will serve as Co-Host.\u00a0Presiding over the ceremony as\u00a0<\/span>Chairman of the Occasion<\/span>\u00a0is the revered traditional ruler,\u00a0<\/span>His Majesty\u00a0Nnaemeka\u00a0Alfred Achebe, CFR, Obi of Onitsha<\/span>, whose enduring commitment to culture, scholarship, and nation-building continues to inspire generations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Among the eminent personalities expected as Special Guests of Honour are\u00a0Rt. Hon. Chidi\u00a0Obeta, Member, House of Representatives;\u00a0Justice Professor Peter\u00a0Umeadi;\u00a0Dr Obi Asika, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Abuja;\u00a0Dr Mrs. Virgy\u00a0Anohu\u00a0(Adadioramma);\u00a0HRH\u00a0Igwe\u00a0George\u00a0Asadu\u00a0(Okpudo,\u00a0Ihe\u00a0n’Owerre);\u00a0HRH Eze Ifeanyi\u00a0Ekeh\u00a0(Udumeze\u00a0III of\u00a0Lokpanta)\u00a0and Chief Loretta\u00a0Aniagolu, Director FIT Consult Group of Companies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The volume itself is unprecedented in scope and ambition. Featuring contributions from over one hundred distinguished scholars, artists, intellectuals, administrators, journalists, traditional rulers,\u00a0scientists, and cultural practitioners from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, South Africa, Europe, and North America, the book stands as one of the most comprehensive tributes ever dedicated to an African artist.\u00a0Its contributors include eminent academics, serving and former university administrators, internationally acclaimed artists, literary figures, historians, linguists, musicologists, philosophers, journalists, and cultural commentators. The collection captures not only the artistic achievements of El Anatsui but also his influence as mentor, teacher, intellectual, philanthropist, institution-builder, and global cultural icon.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The significance of this publication extends far beyond the celebration of an individual. It is simultaneously a documentation of the intellectual history of the University of Nigeria, a chronicle of the emergence of the Nsukka School of Art, and a testimony to Africa’s growing contribution to global artistic discourse.\u00a0As Emeritus Professor El Anatsui continues to inspire generations at the age of eighty-two, this unveiling offers a rare opportunity for the people of Nsukka, the University community, the nation, and the international cultural fraternity to collectively honour a man whose life and work have expanded the possibilities of African creativity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The organisers, therefore, invite all lovers of art, culture, scholarship, and human excellence to participate in this historic occasion and join in celebrating a figure whose legacy has transcended borders, disciplines, and generations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Event Details<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Event:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Unveiling of\u00a0<\/span>El Anatsui: The Man, the Myth, the Legend at 80 and Counting<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Date:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Wednesday, July 1, 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Venue:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Princess Alexandra Auditorium (PAA), University of Nigeria, Nsukka<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Time:<\/span><\/b>\u00a011:00 a.m.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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For Further Information:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact Associate Prof. Greg\u00a0Mbajiorgu<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lead Editor and Member,\u00a0El Anatsui Book Unveiling\u00a0Planning Committee,\u00a0University of Nigeria, Nsukka.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

09132467420 or 08050511777<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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#El Anatsui<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#Celebrating a Legend\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#Honouring a Legacy<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#Preserving a Cultural Heritage<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Scholars, Traditional Rulers, Cultural Icons, and Public Leaders to Gather in Honour of Global Art Legend\u00a0 \u00a0 The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), in collaboration with the University Senior Staff Club, cordially invites members...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11701,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t