This December, we are thrilled to host our final resident of the year, Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Mobolaji Ogunrosoye, as she undertakes a two-week research fellowship at G.A.S. Lagos. Known for a distinct visual language that intersects photography and collage, Mobolaji's practice critically delves into themes of selfhood, body image, and the societal forces that shape identity in West African women both on the continent and in the diaspora. A central focus of her current research is investigating how transparent materials can be used as innovative tools in collage-making. By incorporating these materials, Mobolaji seeks to add new layers of meaning, depth, and dimensionality to her work, pushing the boundaries of traditional collage techniques while exploring the interplay between opacity, translucence, and the stories embedded within her compositions.
While at G.A.S. Lagos, Mobolaji will focus on building her archive of images by conducting in-depth research in the G.A.S. Library and Picton Archive. She hopes this opportunity will support her ongoing exploration of distortion and layering in her work, while also enabling her to expand her visual vocabulary for future collage projects.
PORTRAITS | TOYIN, OBSERVANT, 2022. Image courtesy of Mobolaji Ogunrosoye.
What is the current focus of your creative practice?
My creative practice revolves around the exploration of image creation and transformation, particularly through college and installation. I am deeply interested in investigating how layered visuals can convey complex narratives, examining the interplay between form, texture, and meaning. Currently, I am experimenting with transparent materials as tools for collage, pushing the boundaries of how light, layering and translucency can enhance storytelling and evoke nuanced emotions within my work.
What drew you to this residency and how do you think it will inform your wider practice?
I’ve been in discussions with G.A.S. about accessing their library and archives for some time now. This residency offers a unique opportunity to immerse myself in a rich repository of materials, which will significantly support my collage practice. By building a personal archive of images, I will be better equipped to expand the conceptual and material possibilities within my work. This resource will not only enhance my current projects but also provide a foundation for future explorations into identity and representation.
(L) PORTRAITS | BEAUTY SMILING, 2022 (R) PORTRAITS | KHADIJAH. Image courtesy of Mobolaji Ogunrosoye.
Can you give us an insight into how you hope to use the opportunity?
During my time at the residency, I hope to expansively comb through the G.A.S. Library and Picton Archive, gathering images that will contribute to my personal archive for future collage projects. Each image will be carefully categorized as either copyright-protected or copyright-free, ensuring thoughtful and appropriate use in my creative work.
ABOUT MOBOLAJI OGUNROSOYE
MOBOLAJI OGUNROSOYE is a visual artist based in Lagos, Nigeria, working in the intersection of photography and collage. She utilizes these mediums to explore distortion and the nuances of contrasting emotions found within images of Nigerian and black women.
In Portraits, Mobolaji creates multi-layer collages, incorporating a process of burning and cutting to create depth in revealing underlying layers of images. In 2022 -2023, she developed the 'Portraits' series, where she delved into incorporating coffee granules as an important element within each portrait. Mobolaji expanded on these explorations during a 5-week residency at The Noldor Residency in Accra, Ghana, in 2022. She is currently exploring the use of transparent materials as tools for collage.