In conclusion of her research residency at G.A.S. Lagos, Mobolaji Ogunrosoye hosted an intimate, female-centered dinner and film screening of Black Girl (1966), the groundbreaking work by Senegalese director, producer, and writer Ousmane Sembène. Adapted from a short story in Sembène’s 1962 collection Voltaique, the film narrates the poignant tale of Diouana, a young Senegalese woman who moves to Antibes, France, as a nanny for a wealthy family. Her dreams of a cosmopolitan life are shattered as she finds herself confined to the role of a domestic servant, enduring mistreatment from her employers.

On December 12th, Yinka Shonibare Foundation hosted its annual Patrons & Alumni Winter Soirée at Autograph, London, celebrating the Spirit of Lagos exhibition, co-curated by Autograph Senior Curator, Bindi Vora, and G.A.S. alumni, Lagos Studio Archives (a curatorial collective consisting of Karl Ohiri and Riikka Kassinen).

The soirée began with an insightful guided tour of Spirit of Lagos by Senior Curator Bindi Vora, illuminating the exhibition’s nuanced portrayal of Lagos as a city of contrasts—dynamic, layered, and deeply inspiring. Guests were then treated to an engaging walkthrough of Rotimi Fani-Kayode: The Studio – Staging Desire, led by Autograph’s Director, Professor Mark Sealy, offering a reflective lens on Fani-Kayode’s groundbreaking exploration of desire, identity, and self-fashioning. The evening concluded with festive drinks and light refreshments, fostering meaningful dialogue between Patrons, Trustees, and alumni, alongside the Foundation’s Founder, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA. This gathering exemplified the collaborative spirit underpinning our residencies, championing art as a vehicle for critical reflection and cultural exchange.

On December 19th, G.A.S. Lagos hosted Primitive Hypertext, an engaging presentation and hands-on workshop led by resident Avery Youngblood. The event offered a unique blend of history, creativity, and collaboration, focusing on Avery’s exploration of storytelling and printmaking. The evening began with an introduction to the Riso machine, a tool central to Avery’s exploration of printmaking. Attendees observed the intricate process of testing and refining prints, providing a fascinating prelude to the evening's discussions on communal language-making through print.