Born in Togo, EL Loko studied at the Düsseldorf Art Academy in the 1970s, among others under Joseph Beuys, and is regarded as one of the most important pioneers of contemporary African art in Germany. His artistic practice, spanning more than four decades, encompassed printmaking, painting, sculpture, installation and poetry.
EL Loko saw himself as a bridge-builder between cultures. In particular, his bodies of work Cosmic Letters and World Faces reflect his search for a universal visual language and an open, unbiased view of humanity. Through his art, he sought to transcend national boundaries and the barriers created by colonial history, while emphasizing both the diversity of humankind and the universality of culture.
In 1998, the Niederrheinischer Kunstverein presented works by EL Loko in Kalkar in the exhibition Gesichter, Malerei und Skulptur (Faces, Painting and Sculpture). The Kunstverein also holds several of his works in its collection, which are on view at Haus Eich.
September 2026 marks the tenth anniversary of EL Loko’s death. On this occasion, we honour his extensive artistic legacy with a major solo exhibition.
