Otobong Nkanga: Cadence

October 10, 2024 – June 08, 2025

The Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art presents Otobong Nkanga: Cadence, a new, site-specific commission by the Nigerian-Belgian artist Otobong Nkanga (b. 1974) opening in the Donald and Catherine Marron Family Atrium on October 10, 2024. The large-scale installation, which is on view through June 8, 2025, features an all-encompassing environment of sculpture, sound, and text that addresses the rhythms of both ecological life cycles and social upheaval. Central to the commission is a monumental tapestry that is suspended along the highest wall of the Atrium. Hanging sculptures composed of dyed ropes, interwoven with hand-blown glass and ceramic forms, are suspended floor-to-ceiling within the space and featured alongside ceramic tablets imprinted with poems written by the artist, and an immersive sound work created by the artist.

Otobong Nkanga: Cadence is organized by Michelle Kuo, Chief Curator at Large and Publisher, with Elizabeth Wickham, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Painting and Sculpture.

Leadership support for the exhibition is provided by the Steven A. and Lisa Tananbaum Endowment for Contemporary Art Commissions, The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art, and the Wallis Annenberg Director’s Fund for Innovation in Contemporary Art.

Generous funding is provided by The Black Arts Council of The Museum of Modern Art.

The Bloomberg Connects digital experience is made possible through the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies.

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Detail of Otobong Nkanga: Cadence on view at The Museum of Modern Art, New York from October 10, 2024 through June 8, 2025. Photo: Jonathan Muzikar

Otobong Nkanga with textile in progress for Otobong Nkanga: Cadence. Courtesy of the artist © Otobong Nkanga (photo: Wim van Dongen)

Detail of textile in progress for Otobong Nkanga: Cadence. Courtesy of the artist © Otobong Nkanga (photo: Wim van Dongen)

Portrait of Otobong Nkanga, 2024. Photo Wim van Dongen, Courtesy Lisson Gallery.

Installation view of Otobong Nkanga: Cadence, on view at The Museum of Modern Art, New York from October 10, 2024 through June 8, 2025. Photo: Emile Askey.