Kalabari culture fascinates Douglas Camp. Employing modern sculptural techniques, she creates large, semi-abstract figurative works that are inspired by the sounds, movements and colors of Kalabari masquerades, funerals, plays, regattas and festivals. As a product of Africa and the West, her sculptures are expressions of a unique creative vision, not mere translations of Kalabari events. Kalabari women, as most women throughout Africa, are not allowed to carve wood or sculpt in steel and their roles in masquerades are limited. Douglas Camp crosses the boundaries of male and female domains, just as she transcends geographic boundaries.

Sokari Douglas Camp is an acclaimed sculptor whose work has been presented in numerous solo and group shows in Great Britain, Europe, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. Her sculptures may be found in both private and public collections around the world. In 1988 the National Museum of African Art proudly hosted the American debut of the artist’s work with the exhibition Echoes of the Kalabari. Douglas Camp studied art at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland (1978), earned a fine arts degree from the Central School of Art and Design in London (1983) and received a master’s degree from London’s prestigious Royal College of Art (1986). While a student, the artist received numerous prizes, awards and scholarships.