We are thrilled to welcome Phokeng Setai as the newest resident at G.A.S. Foundation, a curator whose practice sits at the intersection of art, architecture, design, and urban studies. During his residency from August 12th to August 30th, 2024, Phokeng will embark on research, exploring scaffolding structures and debris netting as potential sites for public art interventions in Lagos. He aims to reimagine these unassuming urban elements as new terrains for exhibition-making and cultural discourse. With a strong academic background in African contemporary art, Phokeng is eager to immerse himself in the vibrant Lagos art scene, engage with local practitioners, and foster transnational collaborations. This residency marks his first time in Lagos, and we look forward to the insights and contributions he will bring to our cultural community.

In the Midst is the first exhibition to be realised as part of the Art Exchange: Moving Image programme. Curated by E.N Mirembe (Kampala, Uganda) and Rosie Olang’ Odhiambo (Nairobi, Kenya), the installation by artists Darlyne Komukama and Liz Kobusinge, which opened at Afropocene Capsule, Kampala on Friday 2nd August 2024, comprises etchings printed on bark cloth and lint paper juxtaposed with moving image projections. 

We are immensely grateful to Still Earth Holdings, our Founding Corporate Patron in 2022, for their transformative generosity. Their critical support has been instrumental in launching our Fellowship residency programme, enabling us to make a significant impact both locally and globally. Thanks to Still Earth Holdings, we have elevated local multidisciplinary creative practitioners to the world stage. Still Earth Holdings’ donation has empowered us to support talented G.A.S. Fellows such as Amanda Iheme with events and workshops for the local creative community during their residencies at G.A.S. Lagos. Additionally, their contribution has allowed us to grow G.A.S.’s local team and continue offering fully funded fellowships for local artists. These initiatives are crucial steps in strengthening the cultural and creative sector in Nigeria.

As we enter two years of programming and residencies at G.A.S. Foundation, we are thrilled to present our first Impact Report. It chronicles our journey from digital programming to welcoming our 43rd G.A.S. resident in December 2023. Throughout this transformative period, we have solidified our dedication to fostering creative development and knowledge exchange. The outcomes have surpassed our expectations, and reinforced our commitment to supporting the development and growth of cultural infrastructure in Nigeria and beyond.

As we enter two years of programming and residencies at G.A.S. Foundation, we are thrilled to present our first Impact Report. It chronicles our journey from digital programming to welcoming our 43rd G.A.S. resident in December 2023. Throughout this transformative period, we have solidified our dedication to fostering creative development and knowledge exchange. The outcomes have surpassed our expectations, and reinforced our commitment to supporting the development and growth of cultural infrastructure in Nigeria and beyond.

At the end of May 2024, Tilga Art Fund announced an open call for artists based in Nigeria or of Nigerian descent to submit project proposals on the themes of insecurity, youth unemployment, and poverty. The call was open to works in photography, painting, sculpture, and multidisciplinary arts. The jury, composed of art collectors and supporters Grace Osime and Jubril Enakale, G.A.S. Executive Director Moni Aisida, Nigerian Gallerist Adenrele Sonariwo, and renowned artist Victor Ehikamenor, selected the winner. This year's Tilga Art Fund Grand Prize went to Ugo Ahiakwo, who will receive an all-expenses-paid residency at Guest Artists Space Foundation.

On the evening of 8th July 2024, we hosted our inaugural Patrons Summer Soiree in conjunction with Yinka Shonibare CBE’s exhibition, Suspended States, and in collaboration with our residency partner, Tiwani Contemporary. Our guests, comprised primarily Y.S.F. and G.A.S. Patrons and Partners, were treated to a private tour of Suspended States led by exhibition curator Tamsin Hong. Following the tour, our guests were escorted to Tiwani Contemporary for an exclusive private viewing of In the Blood.

To celebrate our corporate donor African Export-Import Bank's (Afreximbank) first year of philanthropy, we spoke with Stephen Tio Kauma, Group Managing Director of Human Resources. Corporate donations like those from Afreximbank are essential in underpinning the success of our operations, empowering us to fulfil our mission and vision. Their generous support has been instrumental in allowing us to continue delivering our unique multidisciplinary residency in Nigeria, which has garnered the attention of creative practitioners locally, from the diaspora, and further afield across the globe. Discover more about Afreximbank, the motivation behind its support for the creative industries, and the lasting impact the Bank hopes to make on the world.

In May, Tilga Art Fund resident Katesi Kalange explored integrating non-biodegradable materials into urban architecture in Lagos. G.A.S. Fellow Amanda Iheme researched the intersection of Nigerian tropical modernism and affordable housing, hosting a photography showcase and presenting her findings in a residency retrospective, Ugwu-001.

Tiwani-supported resident Dawit L. Petros focused on photographic and moving image works, leading workshops and concluding his residency with Ekphrasis, an immersive public cinema experience. Additionally, G.A.S. Foundation launched Re:assemblages, a cultural program focused on African art libraries. The Annotations phase includes internships and a research associate program, with participants conducting research and planning events to share their findings.