The artwork titled “Old Cloth Series” by El Anatsui, created in 1993, belongs to the art movements of Post-Minimalism and Junk Art. It is an installation piece measuring 80 x 153 cm. The piece reflects the genre of installation art through its intricate and tangible elements.
The artwork consists of a collection of tiles meticulously arrayed in a grid formation, with an organic flow of dark, tangled pieces punctuating the grid. The tiles feature a blend of warm tones, predominantly browns and oranges, which are interspersed with touches of blue and cream. The surface treatment suggests a rich, textural emphasis, with each tile appearing individually crafted to contribute to the overall mosaic. The arrangement creates an impression of both uniformity and disorder, with the darker, irregular shapes breaking up the regularity of the grid and adding a sense of movement across the piece. This installation exemplifies the use of discarded materials to form an elaborate, thought-provoking work, characteristic of El Anatsui’s style and the art movements to which he contributes.
