Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation, an artist residency with sites in Lagos and Ijebu has announced its first Founding Patron following a transformative donation from Still Earth Holdings, a group of companies whose operations span the oil and gas, construction, and financial services sector.
G.A.S. is a non-profit dedicated to facilitating international cultural exchange and developing creative and research practices through residencies and collaborations and was established in 2019 by British Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA. Since launching its programme in the Spring of 2022, it has hosted 19 residents from seven countries and three continents from various creative disciplines and career levels.
G.A.S. Lagos Building. Photo © Olajide Ayeni, 2022.
The vital donation from Still Earth Holdings, whose subsidiary companies include Tirex Petroleum and Energy, Still Earth Limited, and Still Earth Capital Finance has already had a considerable impact. It has allowed G.A.S. to begin developing a public programme for the local creative community, grow its team and continue supporting fully funded fellowships for local artists, all steps that contribute to strengthening the cultural and creative sector in Nigeria.
G.A.S. Foundation Farm House, Ijebu. Photo ©Andrew Esiebo.
Oyindamola Lami Adeyemi, the Executive Chairperson of the company, said the donation is part of the company’s contribution to aid the successful execution of G.A.S. Foundation’s various projects.
“Guest Artists Space Foundation is focused on encouraging critical and engaging practices, giving practitioners and academics the space to research, experiment, share, educate, and develop their works. Achieving this capital-intensive goal requires significant financial support from individuals and corporate bodies. Still Earth Holdings shares a vision to improve the cultural and creative disciplines in Nigeria with the G.A.S. Foundation, and we are proud to support.”
- Oyindamola Lami Adeyemi, Executive Chairperson, Still Earth Holdings.