LEXINGTON, KY.- A new sculpture, entitled Coal Pot, designed by internationally famous artist El Anatsui was recently installed on the University of Kentucky campus as part of the Art Museum’s sculpture garden. It was made possible by a grant from the Efroymson Fund and represents an on-going partnership between the University of Kentucky Art Department and the Art Museum.

Coal Pot was inspired by Mr. Anatusui’s time as visiting artist at UK in 2003 and was fabricated by UK sculpture Professor Garry Bibbs according to Mr. Anatsui’s design. It consists of a 15-foot iron cauldron filled with large pieces of Kentucky coal. The coal will, over several years, disintegrate and be replaced, leaving a residue that will change the appearance of the piece. As in many of Mr. Anatsui’s sculptures, the theme of transience is demonstrated by the choice of natural, decomposing materials.

In the artist’s home country of Ghana, coal plays an essential part in the everyday culture: as a source of heat for cooking and a valuable natural resource. Coal Pot, thus, connects African culture with the economy of Kentucky, where coal is also an important resource. The artwork was El Anatsui’s way of bringing the two cultures together.

El Anatsui was born in 1944 in Antyako, Ghana. He earned a Bachelors degree in sculpture and a Postgraduate Diploma in Art Education from the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. He is professor of Sculpture at the University of Nigeria. He has won numerous international awards, and his works are in major public and private collections including: Asele Institute, The British Museum, Centre Pompidou, de Young Museum, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This collaboration is the second of three partnerships between the Department of Art and the Art Museum that have been funded by the Efroymson Fund. Kathy Walsh-Piper, Director of the Art Museum, says “Our partnership with the Art Department has enriched our programs and our offerings for the entire community. We are grateful to the Efroymson Fund for supporting us in these efforts.” The Efroymson Family Fund is a donor-advised fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation and has a particular interest in supporting campus partnerships. The funding supported the recent faculty exhibition at the Museum and will assist with an upcoming sculpture competition. Coal for the sculpture was donated by Ikerd Coal.