The Art of El Anatsui and the Critic's Comeuppance

Intrigued by an artwork that is new to me, I like to get very close and examine its texture.  It's not unlike having a handshake with a new acquaintance that hopefully confirms a first, favorable impression. A couple of months ago, at the Seattle Art Museum, when I saw for the first time a large, colorful wall hanging by Nigerian artist El Anatsui, I mistook it for a traditional African textile...