Usen Obot, Uncrowned Prince 18, 2023

Uncrowned Prince 18, relief sculpture and painting
Wood, acrylic and Stainless steel, 111cm by 40cm by 25cm

Usen Obot, born in 1973 in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and currently resides and works in Johannesburg South Africa. Usen holds a degree in Art and Design, Fine and Applied Arts. His work aims to awaken inner consciousness to influence society, evolving from traditional two-dimensional media to experimenting with diverse materials like wood, fabric, metal, and biodegradable substances. The recent Mkpese series reimagines ancient African ‘Ekpo’ practices, highlighting the importance of family unity, social cohesion, and African spirituality in maintaining social order. The artist’s use of varied materials symbolizes the unification of diverse people to create a cohesive society.