The artists’ residency in Lagos and Ogun States will also host foreign talents and promote collaboration.
THE number of reputable and developmental art residencies in the country swelled on Friday, February 25, with the opening of renowned artist Yinka Shonibare’s (CBE) Guest Artists Space (GAS) Foundation.
GAS is an offshoot of Shonibare’s long-standing, London-based Guest Projects. For a decade from his London studio, the artist offered emerging artists collaboration opportunities, access to free space for a month, and testing new thoughts. However, the Nigerian-British artist felt it was time to replicate the same in Nigeria, his home country.
The result is the GAS at Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos and a 54-acre Ecology Green Farm at Ikise, Omu Ijebu, Ogun State, where people in contemporary art, design, architecture, agriculture, and ecology can work unhindered. The ambitious charity project founded in 2019 will give artists space and resources to research, experiment, share, educate and develop their work.
Shonibare explained his motive for establishing the space at its opening and noted that fewer opportunities exist for Nigerian artists despite their abundant talents. This inspired him to provide a place where creatives can work without interference.
He said, “When you provide space for artists, and they don’t have to think about paying their rent. They have more time to create their works, and you inevitably get better quality of work because they have time. That essentially is what this residency does. So, when you give them space and give them somewhere to stay, they can focus, they can do research. That’s the opportunity I’m trying to provide here.”
The holder of the Commander of the Order of the British Empire title further stated that the space aims to afford Nigerian creatives to compete with their foreign counterparts to turn out works.
“If you are doing your work here in Nigeria, but you can’t compare what you are making to what your colleagues and other artists are making in other countries, your standard will be toned down because you are not challenged. By bringing artists from different parts of the world here, artists here can see the international standards and make their works as good as those, if not better,” he added.
Shonibare further disclosed that the facilities would have been ready much earlier if not for the COVID-19 pandemic. “We would have opened earlier but for COVID-19. That delayed us. And the process of trying to build a unique facility is quite difficult. It is a learning process for us. But, I see challenges as opportunities to learn…And I am just a one-man; I cannot do everything. You do your little bit in your little corner. But you can achieve more,” he said
Temitayo Ogunbiyi, GAS Director, disclosed that applications for the first batch of residents would open on March 20. The opportunity, she further noted, comes with a stipend to support any costs during their time there. “We are very excited to use this opportunity to share this fantastic initiative,” she said.
The first GAS building in Oniru, Lagos, is a modern inspired structure around a central courtyard. It was designed by Ghanaian British architect Elsie Owusu in collaboration with Lagos based Nigerian architect Nihinlola Shonibare of NS Design Consult. The duo was also responsible for executing the interior design concept and delivery.
The space also intends to support international cultural exchange establishing connections between Africa’s art markets and the international art community. It is equipped with live/work units and an adaptable multi-use project and gallery space.
As part of the launch, an exhibition featuring a selection of works acquired by Shonibare over the last 20 years is currently on display in the gallery, resident rooms, and the common areas of the Foundation in Lagos.
This installation of photographs, sculptures, paintings, works on paper, and mixed media collage curated by Ogunbiyi encourages people to navigate the space of GAS Foundation while considering contemporary art in conversation with works from Nigerian modernism and antiquity.
The second building, designed by Papa Omotayo of MOE+ with interior design by Temitayo Shonibare, sits on the lush 54-acre Ecology Green Farm in Ikise, Omu-Ijebu that produces crops ranging from cassava and cashew to peppers and maize. It will also provide a residency space for artists, scientists, agriculturists, and researchers. It was created with sustainable infrastructure and food security for the local community in mind.
The building has stayed true to the farm’s guiding ‘sustainability first’ ethos by only using local materials for construction; they include 40,000 bricks made from soil dug up for the foundations. The site has an exciting future ahead, with the construction of four workshop buildings dedicated to craft practices, including weaving and ceramics commencing this spring.
According to Shonibare, the space’s goal is to contribute to Nigeria’s food sustainability and job creation. “People can get food near where they live. Not everything has to be brought in from abroad. On the farm, we have excellent produce. We are also training people on how to carry out sustainable agriculture. And on the farm, we also have a house and studios where the artists could go. So, we are holding workshops on the farm. We want to support practices like textile and ceramics. Also, those kinds of artists will be able to have space to make their work,” he noted.
The GAS Foundation will begin welcoming an exciting roster of local and international talent for residencies and fellowships from April 2022.
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“It is gladdening that only six months after that memorable event, the Minister of Interior is back in Enugu to perform another significant and symbolic ceremony. This time, the Minister accompanied by the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, is in the Coal City to unveil the enhanced E-Passport and Commission the Passport Production Centre for the South East situated in Enugu within this Complex.”
Speaking also, the Acting Comptroller General enthused that the people of the South East can now rejoice, pointing out that it was not that his Service oblivious of the suffering of the people but that time and resources had not permitted earlier action.
He commended Gov Ugwuanyi for his support and assistance to the State Command that had culminated in the realization of the project.
Responding, Aregbesola showered encomium on Ugwuanyi who he described as his good friend and one who has been of immense assistance to the Immigration Service in Enugu state.
The minister said not only does South East have a passport production centre within reach but also that the people now have access to an array of choices of the enhanced E-Passport that will aid their globe-trotting disposition.