Deutsche Bank today announced its support for Yinka Shonibare Foundation (Y.S.F.) and Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation’s joint initiative to nurture the next wave of creative generations in Nigeria: Project Nexus.

Project Nexus is an ambitious residency and education programme designed to nurture and empower artists, art educators, art historians, and curators through a series of residencies, professional development workshops, and educational initiatives over three years. The project embodies the spirit of collaboration and cultural exchange that lies at the heart of both Foundations’ missions, aiming to encourage and cultivate artistic excellence and curatorial innovation.

G.A.S. Foundation is thrilled to welcome Ana Ogunsanya, a multidisciplinary artist and designer, as our new resident. Ana's diverse portfolio spans printmaking, textiles, fashion, crafts, and design, with a deep passion for exploring her Nigerian-British heritage. This residency in Lagos, Nigeria, holds significant importance for Ana, as it offers an ideal hub for delving into her Yoruba culture. Primarily focused on research, this residency will provide Ana with the opportunity to create meaningful connections, foster personal growth, and gain a deeper understanding of the crafts that inspire her artistic practice.

We are thrilled to welcome Phokeng Setai as the newest resident at G.A.S. Foundation, a curator whose practice sits at the intersection of art, architecture, design, and urban studies. During his residency from August 12th to August 30th, 2024, Phokeng will embark on research, exploring scaffolding structures and debris netting as potential sites for public art interventions in Lagos. He aims to reimagine these unassuming urban elements as new terrains for exhibition-making and cultural discourse. With a strong academic background in African contemporary art, Phokeng is eager to immerse himself in the vibrant Lagos art scene, engage with local practitioners, and foster transnational collaborations. This residency marks his first time in Lagos, and we look forward to the insights and contributions he will bring to our cultural community.

In the Midst is the first exhibition to be realised as part of the Art Exchange: Moving Image programme. Curated by E.N Mirembe (Kampala, Uganda) and Rosie Olang’ Odhiambo (Nairobi, Kenya), the installation by artists Darlyne Komukama and Liz Kobusinge, which opened at Afropocene Capsule, Kampala on Friday 2nd August 2024, comprises etchings printed on bark cloth and lint paper juxtaposed with moving image projections. 

We are immensely grateful to Still Earth Holdings, our Founding Corporate Patron in 2022, for their transformative generosity. Their critical support has been instrumental in launching our Fellowship residency programme, enabling us to make a significant impact both locally and globally. Thanks to Still Earth Holdings, we have elevated local multidisciplinary creative practitioners to the world stage. Still Earth Holdings’ donation has empowered us to support talented G.A.S. Fellows such as Amanda Iheme with events and workshops for the local creative community during their residencies at G.A.S. Lagos. Additionally, their contribution has allowed us to grow G.A.S.’s local team and continue offering fully funded fellowships for local artists. These initiatives are crucial steps in strengthening the cultural and creative sector in Nigeria.