‘Palpable Art ‘: the sculptural career of Sokari Douglas Camp CBE

Sokari Douglas Camp explores Nigerian, African diaspora and socio-political issues. Sokari is a 21st century Black woman living in London, who is Nigerian and British. Her works, some of which are larger than life, are made of mild steel. They explore textiles, movement and allegorical stories from Europe and Africa. She has created a strand of sculptures that chart multinational exploitation of Niger Delta fossil fuels, emphasising the necessity of caring for our shared environment. Sokari’s focus is on being an artist who converses through sculpture.

Sokari Douglas Camp studied Fine Art at Central School of Art and Design and at the Royal College of Art. Sokari has represented Britain and Nigeria in National and International exhibitions. She has held over 40 solo shows in venues such as the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institute and The Museum of Mankind London. Sokari was shortlisted for the Trafalgar Square Fourth Plinth 2003. Her public artwork Battle Bus: Living Memorial for Ken Saro‐Wiwa, 2006, is a monument to the writer and Niger Delta activist. In 2005, she was awarded a CBE. She is an honorary Fellow of the University of the Arts London and of SOAS. Sokari will have a solo show at the October Gallery and will be participating in a mixed show at the V&A and Kensington + Chelsea Art Week (KCAW) in June 2022.