ABOUT THE ARTIST
BIO
Ekow Nimako was born in Montreal and studied Fine Arts at York University. He
began using Lego in his professional practice in 2014 and has since cultivated
a unique approach to sculpting the iconic material. In 2015 he explored the
theme of animal extinction with his monumental sculpture, Silent Knight,
commissioned by the City of Toronto for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche. The seven-
and-a-half foot sculpture paid homage to one of Ontario’s most extirpated bird
species, the barn owl, and further elevated Ekow’s ability to animate the
inanimate. 2016’s Grey Matters, commissioned by the Baycrest Foundation for
the citywide fundraising campaign The Brain Project, featured a monochromatic,
larger-than-life human brain as a public statement on the importance of brain
health. During 2017 Ekow delved into his studio practice, drawing on his fascination
with mythology and the austerity and metaphorical imagery of West African
proverbs to create his latest body of work Building Black: Mythos. Ekow
lives and works in Toronto, Canada.
CV
PUBLIC ARTWORKS
2016 – Grey Matters, The Brain Project/Baycrest Foundation, Union Station |
Yorkdale Shopping Centre
2015 – Silent Knight, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art
EXHIBITIONS
2017 - (Group Exhibition) CreativeTO, Artscape Young Place
2016 - (Group Exhibition) Intergalactic Noise, Art Gallery of Mississauga
2015 - (Solo Exhibition) Building Black, Capacity 3 Gallery
2015 - (Group Exhibition) Black Future Month, Ontario College of Art and Design
2014 - (Solo Exhibition) Building Black, B.A.N.D Gallery and Cultural Centre
2014 - (Solo Exhibition) Building Black, Impresario Gallery
2014 - (Solo Exhibition) Building Black, Daniels Spectrum
EDUCATION
2007 - 2010 - BFA: Studio, York University
RESIDENCIES/WORKSHOPS
2016 – The Art Gallery of Mississauga - Roots and Branches
2015 - The Power Plant Gallery - Power Youth Residency/Winter
2015 - The Power Plant Gallery - Power Youth Residency/Fall
COMMISSIONS
2016 – Grey Matters, The Brain Project - Baycrest Foundation
2016 – the Bergeron Centre of Engineering Excellence, Lassonde School of
Engineering
2015 - Silent Knight, City of Toronto, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche
2014 - Lady Nzinga, Canadian Film Centre, Bold, Black Risk-taker 2014