An African artist who recycles old bottle tops to make large shimmering sculptures has been chosen to take on the monumental Hyundai Commission in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall.
Ghana-born El Anatsui made his name using recycled material to create his work which has been shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Venice Biennale among others.
His work has also seen him use everything from old nails to milk tins, driftwood and railway sleepers to highlight issues of consumerism and history.
Tate Modern Director Frances Morris said: “El Anatsui is responsible for some of the most unique and unforgettable sculptures in recent times and we are delighted that he will tackle the Turbine Hall this autumn for the annual Hyundai Commission. Anatsui’s much-loved Ink Splash II 2012 in Tate’s collection enchants visitors wherever it’s shown, and we can’t wait to see how this inventive artist will approach a space like the Turbine Hall.”
Previous names to take on the commission include dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei who filled the Turbine Hall with millions of ceramic sunflower seeds and Olafur Eliasson whose Weather Project filled the vast space with an artificial sun.
Other commissions include South Korean artist Anicka Ya who filled the hall with floating robots in 2022 and Carsten Holler whose 2006 installation saw five huge slides installed in the building.
El Anatsui’s work will open on October 10 this year and stay in place until April 14.
