Performing artist and sculptor, Raymond Pinto, joins us this week for a residency at G.A.S. Lagos. With a focus on the African diaspora and queer and black archives, Raymond's work examines the nature of the dancing body and its impact on our aesthetic dimension. During his residency, Raymond will conduct research in preparation for his exhibition at the Lagos Biennial later in the year.

G.A.S. Foundation welcomes Evan Ifekoya as its latest artist-in-residence in February 2023. The Nigerian Born interdisciplinary artist's practice examines the politicisation of culture, society and aesthetics in their practice, sourcing material from historical archives and contemporary society to construct stories and experiences with text, sound and video. 

Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist, Umar Rashid is a painter and installation artist whose work illustrates alternative historical narratives, most notably, his fictional Frenglish Empire (1648 - 1880). His reappropriations of world histories explore the intricacies of race, gender, class, and power. His chosen iconography is simultaneously evocative of contemporary and historical imagery.

Unexpected Lessons #04, organized by Dr. Mahret Ifeoma Kupka was supported by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in Nigeria, and brought together diverse panels of experts in art, culture, and collective organizing, to discuss and share their insights on the timely issue of restitution.

Central to the event were two panel discussions whose panelists included art, culture, and architecture historian Dr. Oluwatoyin Sogbesan, Editor-in-Chief of The Republic Wale Lawal, artist, filmmaker, and G.A.S. Fellow, Femi Johnson, freelance curator Olufisayo Bakare, The Treehouse curator in residence Tracian Meikle, design architect, researcher and G.A.S. alumni Sarafadeen Bello and Brenda Fashugba, an arts manager and professional arts administrator.

The event also featured performances by Ayomide Fasedu and Tolulope Ami-Williams, as well as screenings of films by Femi Johnson and Ariella Aïsha Azoulay.

In 2022 G.A.S. received a donation of a lifelong personal library collection from Professor John Picton and Sue Picton. Its scope includes the visual arts of Sub-Saharan Africa (sculpture, masquerade, textiles), publications dealing with history and archaeology (including Saharan rock art); as well as African American and Black British arts, and more. In 2023, the collection will continue its journey from the Picton family home in Evesham, England to Lagos, Nigeria where it will once again become a point of reference for those wishing to enrich and deepen their knowledge of African history and visual culture.