In addition to the residency centre in Lagos designed by Elsie Owusu Architects, which will feature a gallery, a studio and accommodation spaces — all barrier-free and wheelchair accessible — artists both emerging and established will be invited to the Nigerian state of Ogun.

The term ​“African art” can produce a visceral reaction: those who are used to seeing their own country’s history and legacy mushed into one generic paste will, rightfully, recoil at hearing the phrase.

The artist talks about his project spaces in London and Nigeria, and Africa’s untapped artistic potential.

The British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare is planning to launch an artist residency programme across two sites in Nigeria: one in Lagos and the other in the rural area of Ijebu in Ogun state. He hopes that it will be “up and running” in time for the Art X Lagos fair in November 2021.

The artist’s new residencies in Nigeria will be a launchpad for a new generation.

The British Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare plans to create two artist residencies in Nigeria through his Guest Artists Space (GAS) Foundation. The project, tentatively scheduled to coincide with the Art x Lagos art fair in November 2021, will bring the spirit of his London-based “Guest Projects” initiative—for which Shonibare offers free studio and project space to visiting artists—to West Africa.