This autumn, the G.A.S. Foundation hosted residencies in Lagos and Ibadan for artists Shabu Mwangi, Liz Kobusinge, Theophilus Imani, Kosisochukwu Nnebe, Ofem Ubi, Avery Youngblood, and Osei Bonsu. Their practices—spanning painting, sculpture, eco-printing, and visual research—engaged with themes of postcolonial histories, cultural memory, and social change. These residencies culminated in a series of public events that showcased their diverse creative inquiries, with each artist offering a unique perspective through their work.

On December 13th, G.A.S. Lagos hosted Functions of Humor, a talk and writing workshop led by two-time G.A.S. resident Ofem Ubi, alongside acclaimed Nigerian-British artist, film director, photographer, and poet Joladé Olusanya. The event began with a presentation in which Ofem spoke on humor’s transformative power, drawing from his eight-week residency at the G.A.S. Farm House in Ijebu. He explored how humor functions as a universal coping mechanism amidst societal and economic challenges such as rising insecurity and inflation whilst questioning whether it is in fact, a finite resource.

As we near the close of another dynamic year filled with programming and residencies, we’re thrilled to share upcoming and current exhibitions and presentations by our G.A.S. alumni. By the end of 2024, the Foundation will have hosted 71 residents since programming launched in May 2022, and we’re excited to continue following the inspiring journeys of our alumni.

On December 4, 2024, G.A.S. Lagos hosted Building Artists’ Estates and Legacies, an insightful afternoon of discussions led by then-resident Osei Bonsu, Curator of International Art at Tate Modern, alongside key representatives from the estates of Nigeria’s modernist pioneers. The event began with an introduction by Osei, who outlined its purpose: to bring together representatives of the estates of the Zaria Art Society (1958–1961)—a pioneering generation that reshaped artistic representation in Nigeria founded by visionary artists such as Uche Okeke, Demas Nwoko, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Yusuf Grillo, and others. Osei also framed the event within the broader context of his residency at G.A.S. Lagos, which serves as a critical research phase for the forthcoming Tate Modern exhibition Nigerian Modernism: 1945–1975.

Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of welcoming Osei Bonsu, a British-Ghanaian curator, writer, and art historian, to G.A.S. Lagos for his residency. Based between London and Paris, Osei is the Curator of International Art at Tate Modern, where he works to expand the representation of African and global diaspora artists through exhibitions, collection displays, public programs, and publications.

The earth-brick barn house nestled among cassava and yam fields in southern Nigeria is one of two artists’ residences established by the British-Nigerian artist.

In 2024, Yinka Shonibare Foundation and Guest Artists Space Foundation initiated a partnership with Yale University, marking their first collaboration with the Yale School of Art. Through a highly competitive call and rigorous selection process, this initiative offers the selected artist a fully funded residency, covering flight, local travel, and materials. The first artist chosen for this residency is Avery Youngblood, who will join the Guest Artists Space Foundation at its Lagos center for a six-week residency.

Join us at G.A.S. Lagos on November 29, 2024, for In Dialogue, a compelling conversation between current resident and 2023 G.A.S. Fellowship recipient Kosisochukwu Nnebe, and acclaimed Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama. Together, the artists will explore their art practices and the social dynamics and impacts that drive them. 

The fifth edition of the Lagos Art Tour began on Tuesday 29th October, with the G.A.S. and Y.S.F. teams warmly welcoming patrons, trustees, and friends of the Foundations from across the globe, who arrived throughout the day at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Early arrivals had the opportunity to attend two optional events: Stories of a Broken Water Cycle, presented by Polly Alakija at the Nordic Hotel, an interactive event addressing climate change in Nigerian communities, and the Manifold Exhibition at Alara Concept Store, showcasing global Black female and non-binary artists. These activities set the stage for a week of networking, relaxing, and exploring the Lagos Art ecosystem, and meaningful conversations on art and social impact.

G.A.S. Foundation is thrilled to welcome Avery Youngblood, our first resident supported by the Yale School of Art. A multidisciplinary artist and designer based in New York City, Avery’s practice spans video art, moving image, design, and film. Her rich, introspective work explores themes of identity, language, race, and technology, through a lens that challenges traditional narratives and hierarchies.

On November 6th G.A.S. Foundation hosted École du Festival, a collaborative and experimental Study Day focused on re-examining and reactivating the cultural, political, and artistic legacies of pan-African festivals. Organized in the framework of G.A.S. Foundation‘s Annotations programme, the Study Day serves as a site for critical dialogue between artists and researchers working on pan-African festivals and interested publics.