A unique exhibition catalogue. A healing perspective on the world through the eyes of award-winning artist Otobong Nkanga.

In 2020, Musea Brugge invited the Nigerian-Belgian artist Otobong Nkanga (b. 1974 – Kano, Nigeria) to conceive a new exhibition for Sint-Janshospitaal (St John’s Hospital).

Hannibal Books was on hand to document her creative process in the exhibition spaces, creating a unique catalogue that is published on the occasion of Underneath the Shade We Lay Grounded, the exhibition of the same title.

Leafing through this book feels like taking a walk through the exhibition. The gallery views and details of the works as well as the artful combinations combine to create a stunning publication, in which Nkanga never fails to surprise the reader. In Underneath the Shade We Lay Grounded the artist engages both in a dialogue with her own work as well as with works by such artists as Hans Memling, Jan Beerblock and Philippe Van Bree from the world-class collection of Musea Brugge.

The concept of grounding is an important theme in the exhibition trail and book. Otobong Nkanga combines different kinds of installations, sculptures, drawings and tapestries and poetry, to trigger sensory encounters and layered intersections, allowing people to reconnect with their material, spiritual and cultural environment in the process.

BOOK LAUNCH • PANEL DISCUSSION with Otobong Nkanga

Join us for the book launch of Underneath the Shade we Lay Grounded on Thursday 8 September 2022 at 8 pm, in Salon Arents, Arenthuis Musea Brugge, Dijver 17, 800 Bruges. The launch will be preceded by a panel discussion with Otobong Nkanga, Elisa Bonduel and Michel Dewilde. Publisher Gautier Platteau of Hannibal Books will then elaborate on the creative process behind the book and how this culminated in the final concept.

More information will follow shortly.