Quote by El Anatsui: “My hands are a tool. They help me to think.”

This quote highlights the artist's deep connection between physical work and intellectual process. It suggests that creative thought isn't just confined to the mind but actively emerges through the tangible act of making. It emphasizes that engaging with materials physically can be a powerful way to generate ideas and refine concepts, making art a truly embodied practice.

As Anatsui’s studio practice became increasingly collaborative, involving numerous assistants in manipulating the metallic pieces, this quote speaks to the intimate, fundamental role of manual labor in his creative output. His philosophy, often articulated in interviews from this period, underscored the importance of tactile engagement in the artistic process.

Ghanaian sculptor and installation artist considered one of the most important visual artists of the contemporary era. Based in Nigeria for most of his career, he is famous for his large-scale tapestry-like works constructed from found metal and bottle caps. His work has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale and in major museums worldwide.