Efie Gallery hosts works of contemporary artists in The Shape of Things to Come

Efie Gallery is currently presenting (Oct. II-Jan. 10, 2026) The Shape of Things to Come, an exhibition which brings together painting and sculpture by leading contemporary artists, including El Anatsui, Iman Issa, Abdoulaye Konaté, Adam Pendleton, Yinka Shonibare and Carrie Mae Weems.

- Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

They are all recognised for their conceptually rigorous and innovative practices. The show is curated by Japan-based American curator Dexter Wimberly who says that "at the heart of this exhibition lies the belief that art can reflect the complexities of a rapidly changing world. These artists push the boundaries of their mediums, using bold colour, unexpected textures and unconventional materials to capture the transformations shaping contemporary society. Their work is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of art in turbulent times."

Internationally revered artist El Anatsui is renowned for his intricate metal sculptures and transformative use of simple materials such as bottle caps, printing plates, and cassava graters. He brings his perspective on sustainability and cultural heritage through works that weave together themes of history, identity, and environmental consciousness, offering viewers a tactile and visually compelling experience.

Iman Issa is known for her politically engaged conceptual sculptures. In her ongoing series Heritage Studies, she reimagines historical artifacts as geometrically abstract, minimal forms accompanied by interpretive texts. Issa employs conventional museological tools such as vitrines, plinths, captions, labels and vinyl text, to construct displays for objects and narratives that do not mark a specific time or place.