Sokari Douglas Camp
Encyclopedia
Sokari Douglas Camp is an artist who has had exhibitions all over the world and was the recipient of a bursary from the Henry Moore Foundation
, as well as being honored as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2005 Honours List.
She was born in Buguma, Nigeria, a Kalabari town in the Niger Delta
. She was raised by her brother-in-law, the anthropologist Robin Horton. She studied art at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California (1979–80), earned her BA at the Central School of Art and Design (1980–83), London, and her MA from the Royal College of Art
(1983-6).
Her work is predominately sculpted in steel and characteristically takes inspiration from her Kalibari heritage, as well as drawing on other aspects of African culture. She has worked with the Smithsonian and the British Museum, and her work is in their permanent collections. Her sculptures are also held in other museum collections in Europe, Britain and Japan and in numerous private collections throughout the world. She has exhibited internationally in galleries, including in Austria, Britain, Cuba, France, Germany, Holland, Japan, Sicily, South Africa, Spain, the USA. Among her notable solo shows are: Spirits in Steel - The Art of the Kalabari Masquerade at the American Museum of Natural History
, New York (1998-9); and Imagined Steel at The Lowry
Arts Centre, Manchester, which toured to the Oriel Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno; Brewery Art Centre, Cirencester; and Derby Museum and Art Gallery
(2002–03). She has been awarded many commissions for public memorial sculptures, most notably the "Living Memorial" to Ken Saro-Wiwa
. In 2003 her proposal NO-O-War No-O-War-R was shortlisted for Trafalgar Square
's fourth plinth.
She is married to the architect Alan Camp and has lived in London for many years.
Henry Moore Foundation
The Henry Moore Foundation is a registered charity in England, established for education and promotion of the fine arts — in particular, to advance understanding of the works of Henry Moore. The charity was set up with a gift from the artist in 1977...
, as well as being honored as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2005 Honours List.
She was born in Buguma, Nigeria, a Kalabari town in the Niger Delta
Niger Delta
The Niger Delta, the delta of the Niger River in Nigeria, is a densely populated region sometimes called the Oil Rivers because it was once a major producer of palm oil...
. She was raised by her brother-in-law, the anthropologist Robin Horton. She studied art at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California (1979–80), earned her BA at the Central School of Art and Design (1980–83), London, and her MA from the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
(1983-6).
Her work is predominately sculpted in steel and characteristically takes inspiration from her Kalibari heritage, as well as drawing on other aspects of African culture. She has worked with the Smithsonian and the British Museum, and her work is in their permanent collections. Her sculptures are also held in other museum collections in Europe, Britain and Japan and in numerous private collections throughout the world. She has exhibited internationally in galleries, including in Austria, Britain, Cuba, France, Germany, Holland, Japan, Sicily, South Africa, Spain, the USA. Among her notable solo shows are: Spirits in Steel - The Art of the Kalabari Masquerade at the American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
, New York (1998-9); and Imagined Steel at The Lowry
The Lowry
The Lowry is a theatre and gallery complex situated on Pier 8 at Salford Quays, in Salford, Greater Manchester, England. It is named after the early-20th century painter, L. S. Lowry, known for his paintings of industrial scenes in North West England...
Arts Centre, Manchester, which toured to the Oriel Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno; Brewery Art Centre, Cirencester; and Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Derby Museum and Art Gallery was established in 1879, along with Derby Central Library, in a new building designed by Richard Knill Freeman and given to Derby by Michael Thomas Bass. The collection includes a whole gallery displaying the paintings of Joseph Wright of Derby; there is also a large...
(2002–03). She has been awarded many commissions for public memorial sculptures, most notably the "Living Memorial" to Ken Saro-Wiwa
Ken Saro-Wiwa
Kenule "Ken" Beeson Saro Wiwa was a Nigerian author, television producer, environmental activist, and winner of the Right Livelihood Award and the Goldman Environmental Prize...
. In 2003 her proposal NO-O-War No-O-War-R was shortlisted for Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London, England, United Kingdom. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of...
's fourth plinth.
She is married to the architect Alan Camp and has lived in London for many years.
Awards
- 1981 Amy Sadur Friedlander Prize
- 1982 Saatchi & Saatchi Award
- 1983 Princess of Wales Scholarship and Henry Moore Foundation bursary
- 2000 Commonwealth
- 2005 Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- 2006 Honorary Fellow of the University of the Arts, London
External links
- Sokari Douglas Camp at Peter Herrmann Gallery