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.
During his four-week residency, Osei advanced his research for the forthcoming Nigerian Modernism exhibition, set to open at Tate Modern in October 2025. This exhibition examines the evolution of modern art in Nigeria, particularly in the context of the country's transition to independence from British colonial rule in 1960. Osei’s research delved into the living legacies of Nigerian Modernism—a vibrant intersection of cultural, artistic, and political ideas that defined the mid-20th century. With access to the extensive resources and publications housed in the G.A.S. Library, he explored these legacies in greater depth. Beyond his research, Osei engaged with curators and institutions while visiting notable private and public collections at the Yemisi Shyllon Museum, John Randall Centre, National Gallery, National Museum, and MOWAA. He was also keen to explore key architectural and heritage sites and connected with artists and estates, including the Uche Okeke Estate, Yusuf Grillo Estate, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Nike Davies, and Demas Nwoko, contributing to dialogues on preserving Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage.
At the end of his residency, Osei hopes to lead a workshop titled Building Artist Estates and Institutions in Nigeria. This workshop will focus on the crucial role of artist estates and families in preserving and nurturing the legacies of Nigeria's foremost visual artists. The discussions will cover key themes such as the preservation of archives and documentation, working with institutions and museums, navigating funding structures, and fostering public engagement.
Hyundai Commission: El Anatsui: Behind the Red Moon, Installation View, Photo © Tate (Joe Humphrys)
What is the current focus of your creative practice?
As a curator, writer, and art historian, my practice focuses on the intersection of postcolonial identity and the production of modern and contemporary art from Africa and the Global South. In my current role as curator of International Art at Tate Modern, my focus is on enhancing the representation of artists from Africa and the global diaspora through collection displays, exhibitions, public programs, and publications. Through my residency at G.A.S., my aim is to deepen my existing research for the forthcoming Nigerian Modernism exhibition, opening at Tate Modern in October 2025.
Ndidi Dike, A History of a City in a Box, 2019, vue d’installation, A World In Common: Contemporary African Photography, Tate Modern, 2023. © Tate Photography, Lucy Green
What drew you to apply for this residency and how do you think it will inform your wider practice?
As a curator specializing in modern and contemporary African art based in the UK, the residency provides a unique opportunity to engage with local artists and cultural producers over an extended period of time. I am also drawn to the library as a resource and as a space for encounters and exploration. I hope to use these resources to further enhance my experience of Lagos as a vital space for international art.
Sammy Baloji 802. That is where, as you heard, the elephant danced the malinga. The place where they now grow flowers (2016) Tate © Sammy Baloji; courtesy of the artist and Galerie Imane Farès
Can you give us an insight into how you hope to use the opportunity?
I hope to use this opportunity to build on my research while fostering new relationships and creating opportunities for dialogue and exchange. I am particularly eager to facilitate collaborations between Nigerian and UK-based arts institutions. G.A.S. has become a pioneering model for institutions on the continent, building on Nigeria's rich history of artist-led spaces such as the Mbari Artists and Writers Club, New Culture Studios, and the Harmattan Workshop, among others. My research focuses on the living legacies of Nigerian Modernism as a complex network of cultural, artistic, and political ideas that gained momentum during the second half of the 20th century.
During my residency, I aim to engage with local institutions dedicated to preserving Nigeria's rich artistic heritage through innovative approaches to curatorial research, preservation, education, and engagement. I am also eager to collaborate with local stakeholders and collectors who play an essential role in enhancing the appreciation and awareness of Nigeria's art history. Ultimately, my research seeks to emphasize the role of artist estates and artist-led institutions in safeguarding and cultivating art historical narratives and cultural legacies.
ABOUT OSEI BONSU
Osei Bonsu is a British-Ghanaian curator and writer based in London and Paris. He is currently a curator of International Art at Tate Modern, where he is responsible for organising exhibitions, developing the museum’s collection and broadening the representation of artists from Africa and the African diaspora. Through his writing, Bonsu focuses on the relationship between art and issues of migration, race and identity in contemporary society. In 2020, he was named as one of Apollo Magazine’s ‘40 under 40’ leading African voices.
Osei's residency is generously supported by Via Art Fund.
