We are thrilled to announce that Alexandra Martens Serrano, a multidisciplinary sculptor, filmmaker, and researcher, will be joining us as the latest artist in residence at G.A.S. Foundation this August and September 2024. As a recipient of the Studio Quantum residency prize from the Goethe-Institut, Alexandra will be in residence in Nigeria in tandem with members of her cohort undertaking residencies in Dublin, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Karlsruhe, Rotterdam, Bangalore and London. Studio Quantum is an innovative international residency program that explores emerging quantum technologies through the prism of art. Alexandra’s work promises to delve deeply into the ethical and ecological dimensions of these technologies, fostering a dialogue that bridges art, science, and culture.

Four weeks into her residency program at GAS Foundation, Katesi Kalange has delved into extensive reading and research on the potential of recycling non-biodegradable materials like single-use plastics and second-hand clothes. Drawing inspiration from Nigeria's vernacular architecture, She embarked on a journey to merge sustainability with cultural influences. Last week marked a pivotal moment as she transitioned from theoretical exploration to practical fieldwork.

A Gathering on Art and Land is a day centring art and design-led approaches to planting, farming, seeding, gardening and burying. Through conversations and presentations, the event explores our relationship to the land, using ground and soil practices to start ecological conversations and reveal their potential for transformation, regeneration, and hope. The programme includes a talk with Yinka Shonibare CBE RA who will discuss his exhibition Suspended States and his ongoing commitment to environmentalism and interdisciplinary exchange in his practice. This will be followed by G.A.S. residency alumni and RCA BLK members Remi Kuforiji and Graeme Smith, in conversation with Yinka Shonibare Foundation CEO Belinda Holden.

To conclude a collaboration with Peter Abayomi of Eran Jije Project initiated on arrival in Lagos, Katesi Kalange returned to Bariga to share the outputs of her residency with the local residents some of whom had been instrumental in helping her shape her residency project. Shortly after arriving in the city, Katesi conducted a community cleaning drive in the Isale-Akoka area of Bariga that was followed by in-depth material research, experimentation, and collaboration with artisans and recycling organisations in Lagos and beyond.

Annotations is a six-month project that explores major African cultural festivals and their dual nature as historic events and repositories of postcolonial pan-African encounters. Led by co-curators Naima Hassan (Interim Picton Archivist) and Maryam Kazeem (iranti press), Annotations will explore the entangled histories of FESMAN, Panaf, Zaire 74, and FESTAC’77 through a pedagogical programme, residency and publication. To coincide with the launch of Annotation, we spoke to curators Naima and Maryam to uncover their collaborative journey and delve into how their shared interests and individual initiatives converged to shape the curatorial vision for the project.

METAmorphosis concluded Katesi Kalange's 10-week residency and acted as a forum for her to synthesise her research and experiential observations, and share them with our community in Lagos. The title is representative of the transformation that is inherent in her practice and illustrates her commitment to reconceptualising waste materials into new forms. In her opening presentation, Katesi provided a comprehensive overview of her residency and discussed the challenges she encountered, alongside the strategies she employed to address them. She was also able to detail her production methodologies and acknowledged the collaborative efforts that underpinned the project.

While often immersed in his work in Grand Popo, Tobi Onabolu, a recipient of the 2022 G.A.S. Fellowship award, continues to share his journey and creative endeavours following his residency. Onabolu's film, Danse Macabre, shot in Benin before his G.A.S. residency, has made its rounds in various exhibitions. After private showings at Borna Soglo Gallery in Cotonou and Untitled in Lagos, it is now featured as a video installation at Galerie Ourrouss in Dakar as part of the OFF Biennale program. This film installation is accompanied by a reimagined shrine showcasing photography from the project, complemented by a sound bath that he began developing during his residency. Additionally, Onabolu performed the second iteration of Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me? with his masquerade at the vernissage. The performance was developed during his 2023 residency at G.A.S. Foundation's Ijebu center, and debuted at G.A.S. Foundation in Lagos alongside an exhibition of his photography. 

The Annotations Research Associate Programme is designed to explore African art festivals, such as FESMAN, Panafest, Zaire 74, and FESTAC’77. The seven-week-long programme falls under the wider scope of G.A.S. Library and Picton Archive’s Re:assemblages project. We are pleased to announce the selected participants - budding multidisciplinary curators, Adeyosola Adeniran and Ufuoma Ogbemudje, and independent archivist, Osayame Emokpae-Ozoro. Running parallel to our archival practice internships supported by Spelman College and AUC (Atlanta University Center) Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective, this opportunity for Lagos-based practitioners foregrounds our foundation's dedication to building capacity within our local industry in Lagos.