David Nkansah
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
David Nkansah is a mathematician from the United Kingdom who works on homological algebra, the representation theory of quivers, finite dimensional algebras, and their interplay with combinatorics.
the artwork
Making The Abstract More Concrete
English - 2023 - Gouache, pen and digital
audio commentary
My research in representation theory makes the abstract more concrete, much like Pop Art did. I imagine memes as a modern incarnation of Pop Art, so I use the Drake meme as the backbone of my piece to explore my work. This inspired the deliberate inclusion of distracting watermarks and URLs throughout, echoing the aesthetics of internet memes while reflecting how mathematical ideas spread and remix.
David Nkansah
paths to mathematics - the artist's audio commentary
David, What is the first mathematics you remember doing yourself?
David, What drove you into doing mathematcis?
David, Why do you do mathematics? What is your motivation?
David, In what moments do you struggle in science?
David, What do you enjoy in the everyday life of a mathematician?
Mathematics in British Culture
The UK has a strong presence in abstract mathematics and its popularisation. Numberphile, a British-based YouTube channel, brings ideas from number theory, topology, and other advanced topics to millions worldwide. Its creator, an Australian-British filmmaker, combines storytelling with deep mathematics, showing how British culture supports both rigorous research and public engagement, making abstract maths accessible and inspiring curiosity globally.
David Nkansah
