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.

Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of welcoming Osei Bonsu, a British-Ghanaian curator, writer, and art historian, to G.A.S. Lagos for his residency. Based between London and Paris, Osei is the Curator of International Art at Tate Modern, where he works to expand the representation of African and global diaspora artists through exhibitions, collection displays, public programs, and publications.

The earth-brick barn house nestled among cassava and yam fields in southern Nigeria is one of two artists’ residences established by the British-Nigerian artist.

In 2024, Yinka Shonibare Foundation and Guest Artists Space Foundation initiated a partnership with Yale University, marking their first collaboration with the Yale School of Art. Through a highly competitive call and rigorous selection process, this initiative offers the selected artist a fully funded residency, covering flight, local travel, and materials. The first artist chosen for this residency is Avery Youngblood, who will join the Guest Artists Space Foundation at its Lagos center for a six-week residency.