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This is a past display. Go to current displays

Previously part of the Materials and Objects display

Colour photograph of a square sheet of fabric made of blue, silver and gold coloured squares. The fabric is hanging and its pattern depicts a splash of ink. Made by El Anatsui

El Anatsui Ink Splash II 2012
© Tate Photography Tate 2016

Richard Deacon and El Anatsui

See how two artists have used non-traditional art materials in very different ways

The works in this opening gallery of the Materials and Objects display give a sense of some of the diverse and inventive approaches to materials explored by artists in the rooms that follow.

Richard Deacon is interested in working with both traditional and modern materials. He also draws attention to the techniques that they inspire, and leaves traces of the process of making visible in his finished sculptures.

El Anatsui, by contrast, works to completely transform his materials and their effect on the viewer. By flattening bottle tops and stitching them together into a shimmering metal cloth, he turns familiar disposable objects into something that appears precious.

Curated by Matthew Gale

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  • Silver wall hanging with bright blue spots of colour

    Who is El Anatsui?

    Ahead of his upcoming Hyundai Commission at ºÚÁÏÉç, discover El Anatsui, the artist who has dazzled the world with his vast installations and sculptures

Find out more

  • Richard Deacon

    born 1949
  • El Anatsui

    born 1944

Art Fund Museum of the Year 2017

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