LEGO Artist Ekow Nimako’s Artwork to Go on Display at UW Jan. 30

Ghanaian-Canadian artist Ekow Nimako will visit the University of Wyoming Jan. 30-Feb. 2 for the installation of his artwork in the Visual Arts Building.

He will give a keynote talk in Room 111 of the Visual Arts Building at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, and a catered reception will follow in the lobby.

Additionally, during Nimako’s time on campus, he will engage with UW students, host a workshop for the public and work with 60 middle school students from the UW Lab School and Rawlins Middle School.

The artwork, slated for installation Tuesday, Jan. 30, is expected to be on display in the Visual Arts Building for at least a month.

Nimako is an internationally exhibiting artist who crafts futuristic and whimsical sculptures from LEGO. Combining a multidisciplinary and formal arts program, Nimako explores Afrofuturism, Africanfuturism and Black narratives through an aesthetic that transcends the medium.

“We are thrilled to welcome an artist of Ekow Nimako’s talent and vision to our campus, where he will share his insights and artistic journey through a keynote talk and also conduct workshops with middle school students and interested adults, as well as connect with our majors and minors in their classes,” says Doug Russell, head of UW’s Department of Visual Arts. “I encourage anyone who is interested in learning about Nimako’s creative process with LEGO to attend his keynote talk and sign up for the adult workshop. Space will be limited.”

One artwork from Nimako’s series “Building Black Civilizations: Journey of 2000 Ships” will be on display in the Visual Arts Building lobby. The entire body of work reimagines the mysterious sea voyage of Mansa Abu Bakr II, the visionary ninth ruler of the medieval empire of Mali.

With various upscaled geographical, architectural and vehicular sculptures, the series explores key speculative events and regions of the historic voyage of Abu Bakr II’s fleet of 2,000 vessels that left the west coast of Africa in the 14th century, never to return.

The artwork “Asamando” derives its title from the Akan word for the “land of the dead.” It is the underground dwelling place for the beings of light known as nsamanfo (ancestors). Within the context of Abu Bakr II’s 14th century voyage, “Asamando” represents the final chapter of the journey. The serpentine shape of the city is symbolic of the Akan belief that snakes are vessels for spirits.

Nimako has exhibited works in Canada, the U.S., Germany, Korea, United Arab Emirates, Austria and the United Kingdom. His artworks have been acquired by the TD Bank Corporate Art Collection, Global Affairs Canada Visual Art Collection, Urban Nation Museum for Urban Contemporary Art and the Aga Khan Museum Permanent Collection.

The date of the workshop open to the public will be announced soon on the UW Department of Visual Arts Facebook page. Those who are interested also may call (307) 766-3269.