This autumn, the G.A.S. Foundation hosted residencies in Lagos and Ibadan for artists Shabu Mwangi, Liz Kobusinge, Theophilus Imani, Kosisochukwu Nnebe, Ofem Ubi, Avery Youngblood, and Osei Bonsu. Their practices—spanning painting, sculpture, eco-printing, and visual research—engaged with themes of postcolonial histories, cultural memory, and social change. These residencies culminated in a series of public events that showcased their diverse creative inquiries, with each artist offering a unique perspective through their work.

On December 13th, G.A.S. Lagos hosted Functions of Humor, a talk and writing workshop led by two-time G.A.S. resident Ofem Ubi, alongside acclaimed Nigerian-British artist, film director, photographer, and poet Joladé Olusanya. The event began with a presentation in which Ofem spoke on humor’s transformative power, drawing from his eight-week residency at the G.A.S. Farm House in Ijebu. He explored how humor functions as a universal coping mechanism amidst societal and economic challenges such as rising insecurity and inflation whilst questioning whether it is in fact, a finite resource.

As we near the close of another dynamic year filled with programming and residencies, we’re thrilled to share upcoming and current exhibitions and presentations by our G.A.S. alumni. By the end of 2024, the Foundation will have hosted 71 residents since programming launched in May 2022, and we’re excited to continue following the inspiring journeys of our alumni.

On December 4, 2024, G.A.S. Lagos hosted Building Artists’ Estates and Legacies, an insightful afternoon of discussions led by then-resident Osei Bonsu, Curator of International Art at Tate Modern, alongside key representatives from the estates of Nigeria’s modernist pioneers. The event began with an introduction by Osei, who outlined its purpose: to bring together representatives of the estates of the Zaria Art Society (1958–1961)—a pioneering generation that reshaped artistic representation in Nigeria founded by visionary artists such as Uche Okeke, Demas Nwoko, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Yusuf Grillo, and others. Osei also framed the event within the broader context of his residency at G.A.S. Lagos, which serves as a critical research phase for the forthcoming Tate Modern exhibition Nigerian Modernism: 1945–1975.