The fifth edition of the Lagos Art Tour began on Tuesday 29th October, with the G.A.S. and Y.S.F. teams warmly welcoming patrons, trustees, and friends of the Foundations from across the globe, who arrived throughout the day at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Early arrivals had the opportunity to attend two optional events: Stories of a Broken Water Cycle, presented by Polly Alakija at the Nordic Hotel, an interactive event addressing climate change in Nigerian communities, and the Manifold Exhibition at Alara Concept Store, showcasing global Black female and non-binary artists. These activities set the stage for a week of networking, relaxing, and exploring the Lagos Art ecosystem, and meaningful conversations on art and social impact.

G.A.S. Foundation is thrilled to welcome Avery Youngblood, our first resident supported by the Yale School of Art. A multidisciplinary artist and designer based in New York City, Avery’s practice spans video art, moving image, design, and film. Her rich, introspective work explores themes of identity, language, race, and technology, through a lens that challenges traditional narratives and hierarchies.

On November 6th G.A.S. Foundation hosted École du Festival, a collaborative and experimental Study Day focused on re-examining and reactivating the cultural, political, and artistic legacies of pan-African festivals. Organized in the framework of G.A.S. Foundation‘s Annotations programme, the Study Day serves as a site for critical dialogue between artists and researchers working on pan-African festivals and interested publics. 

KUNA MENDE KWENYE MASHINE (There’s a Bug in the Machine) is the third exhibition in the Art Exchange: Moving Image series. Curated by Jesse Gerard Mpango, a founding member of Ajabu Ajabu—a multimedia curatorial collective based in Dar es Salaam—the exhibition invites visitors to reconsider the rhythms of creation and circulation, offering exploration of an alternative history and genealogy of moving image. It seeks to evoke new perspectives on the diverse narratives and histories surrounding the medium, encouraging a speculative engagement with its evolving role and resonance. 

All Associate Residents and Long Stay Guests are required to adhere to the G.A.S. Foundation Code of Conduct for the duration of their stay. They must confirm in writing that they have read the Resident Handbook in full and agree to follow all guidelines outlined by the Guest Artists Space Foundation.

Your first point of contact is the Residency Manager who is based at G.A.S. Lagos from Monday to Friday. They are on hand to support your residency, deal with any queries or difficulties, and help arrange excursions and events. They will organise all your logistics with support from Y.S.F. including travel, visas, accommodation, and stipends and can answer questions that may arise during your stay.

In September 2023, Belinda Kazeem-Kamiński (b. 1980, Vienna) arrived in Lagos to begin her research-focused residency at Yinka Shonibare’s Guest Artist Space (G.A.S.) Foundation after being awarded the inaugural Access ART X Prize in the category Nigeria/Diaspora. This residency marked a significant moment in her artistic practice, as Lagos's vibrant, kinetic energy brought Belinda Kazeem-Kamiński closer to the traditions of Yoruba cosmology and language as well as West African studio photography.

On Thursday, November 7th, G.A.S. Lagos hosted My Journey in Art, an artist talk and interactive drawing workshop led by hen-resident and ART X Diaspora Prize winner Shabu Mwangi. While the word "journey" often evokes thoughts of physical movement, for Shabu, it represents personal growth, transformative experiences, and impactful change. Throughout the evening, Shabu offered a glimpse into his artistic evolution, sharing the inspiration behind his recent work, the phases of his creative process, and his unwavering commitment to using ​​​art as a medium for social change. 

Join us at G.A.S. Lagos for École du Festival, a collaborative and experimental Study Day focused on re-examining and reactivating the cultural, political, and artistic legacies of pan-African festivals. Organized in the framework of G.A.S. Foundation‘s Annotations programme, the Study Day serves as a site for critical dialogue between artists and researchers working on pan-African festivals and interested publics.