G.A.S. Foundation is thrilled to welcome Ana Ogunsanya, a multidisciplinary artist, designer and educator, as our new resident. Ana's diverse portfolio spans printmaking, textiles, fashion, crafts, and design, with a deep passion for exploring her Nigerian-British heritage. This residency in Lagos, Nigeria, holds significant importance for Ana, as it offers an ideal hub for delving into her Yoruba culture. Primarily focused on research, this residency will provide Ana with the opportunity to create meaningful connections, foster personal growth, and gain a deeper understanding of the crafts that inspire her artistic practice.
Ana approaches this residency with an open mind, eager to explore and draw inspiration from Lagos' vibrant environment. With a keen interest in visiting museums and galleries such as the Centre for Contemporary Art Library, the National Museum, Nike Art Gallery, and Yemisi Shyllon Museum, she aims to immerse herself in the rich cultural heritage of the city. Ana is also enthusiastic about exploring local craft markets and fabric shops and is open to connecting with individuals, networks, or organizations involved in Yoruba traditional crafts, including beadwork, textiles, and ceramics. Through this residency, Ana hopes to establish lasting relationships with the community and the city, enriching her artistic journey and contributing to the broader dialogue on cultural representation.
What is the current focus of your creative practice?
Currently, my primary focus in my creative practice is printmaking. However, I also work with textiles and hand-building pottery.
What drew you to apply for this residency and how do you think it will inform your wider practice?
I was drawn to apply for this residency through the Arts Council DYCP grant because it aligns perfectly with my current autoethnographic project. This project focuses on exploring my Nigerian and British heritage through craft, aiming to create a series of artworks for future exhibitions. My practice revolves around bridging my two cultures through traditional crafts, using them to explore storytelling and weave a contemporary narrative of identity, heritage, and belonging. Participating in this residency is crucial for me. It will deepen my understanding of my ancestry and culture, situating me in the heart of my research, and providing access to essential materials and expertise. These opportunities are essential for my creative growth and the development of my project, enhancing both its conceptual depth and its potential impact.
Can you give us an insight into how you hope to use the opportunity?
This opportunity marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for me. With a background rooted in fashion and textiles, I see this as a pivotal moment to delve into research that will ignite and inform my creative process. My intention is to explore the profound cultural significance embedded in traditional textiles, bridging the gap between my two distinct cultural backgrounds. Through this exploration, I aim to weave together a narrative that merges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary expression, exploring themes of identity, heritage, and belonging. Ultimately, this will serve as a platform to inspire and shape my future creative endeavours.
RESIDENCY ARCHIVE
EVENT: In Pieces
Event Date: 9th September 2024
On 9th September 2024, Ana Ogunsanya, multidisciplinary artist, designer, and educator-in-residence, led In Pieces, a collage workshop that invited participants to explore culture through the powerful lens of personal experiences. This interactive session began with a presentation that uncovered collage as a language of autoethnographic expression, an approach that combines the personal with the cultural to tell stories rooted in individual lived experiences. The presentation highlighted the works of renowned Black female collage artists, including Billie Zangewa and Deborah Roberts, whose practice draws heavily from the intersection of personal and cultural commentary. These artists use collage to weave together fragments of memory, identity, and history, offering a unique perspective on the Black female experience.
Ana Ogunsanya's presentation during In Pieces.
ABOUT ANA OGUNSANYA
Ana Ogunsanya is a multidisciplinary artist and designer whose work aims to express and explore her Nigerian heritage, British culture, and diasporic identity. Having trained in Fashion Design at Central St. Martins and the Royal College of Art, Ana enjoys working across a range of mediums. Ana is currently interested in finding ways to express her personal narrative by combining representation and abstraction. Her work connects two personal cultures and explores the complexities of identity, heritage, and belonging, while honoring her heritage and contributing to a broader dialogue on representation.
