A Talk and Writing Workshop Led by Ofem Ubi and Joladé Olusanya
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 opened with a presentation by Ofem, who shared insights from his eight-week residency at the G.A.S. Farm House in Ijebu. He spoke on humor’s transformative power, exploring its role as a universal coping mechanism in the face of societal and economic challenges such as rising insecurity and inflation. Ofem also posed a thought-provoking question: Is humor a finite resource?
Building on this exploration, Joladé and Ofem led an engaging workshop designed to examine the intersections of humor, creativity, and social reflection. He began with a lighthearted exercise where participants shared interesting facts about themselves, sparking moments of genuine laughter. This simple activity highlighted humor’s ability to foster connection and ease tension, setting a collaborative and open atmosphere for the group. Participants then moved on to creative writing exercises. In one activity, they crafted humorous yet reflective narratives by filling in blanks, blending wit with deeper insights. Another exercise invited them to tackle key questions: How can humor shape our understanding of social challenges? How can a community collaboratively write a poem? And what role does laughter play in collective healing and change?
The collaborative poem-writing exercise illustrated how humor and shared creativity can deepen communal bonds and inspire new ways of thinking. The session left participants with fresh perspectives on humor’s role in navigating adversity, fostering resilience, and driving both individual and collective transformation.
Event Details
Date: 13th December, 2024
Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: 9b, Hakeem Dickson Drive, off TF Kuboye Road, Oniru, Lagos.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Ofem Ubi
A poet and artist from Nigeria, Ofem Ubi is exploring the poetic through visual forms. Drawing prompts from experience, his work upholds a constant query on memory and its manifestations beyond the page. His significant query —The Last Time I Called— focused on themes of grief, birthing a pamphlet and a show at the Guest Artists Space Foundation in 2022. The project also recorded a sequel —*Back on Home Soil*— scoring an exhibition and a film screening at the Fringe of Colour Film Festival, Edinburgh, in 2023, marking an extension of his inquiry. Ofem Ubi is a 2024 Prince Claus Seed Award recipient and a G.A.S. Foundation alumnus. He has shown works widely, including at RELE Gallery, Alte Tankstelle Deutz in Cologne, INKWELL Journal by Writerz & Scribez, and Alliance Française, Lagos.
Photo of Ofem Ubi. Image courtesy of Ofem Ubi.
Joladé Olusanya
Joladé Olusanya is a Nigerian-British award-winning poet, filmmaker, and photographer. A finalist for Young Poet Laureate for London and winner of the Out-Spoken Performance Poetry Prize and Poetry London Prize, his work explores themes of identity, resilience, and community. His poetry has been published in Poetry London, The Guardian, and BBC, and he has performed at iconic venues including the Royal Festival Hall and Roundhouse, as well as internationally. He is a Barbican Young Poet alumni founded by Jacob Sam-La Rose, and Obsidian Foundation alumni founded by Nick Makoha.
Joladé is currently working on his debut photography book and a new poetry pamphlet. With over a decade of international experience, his creative practice bridges mediums to tell authentic and intimate stories.
Photo of Joladé Olusanya. Image courtesy Joladé Olusanya.
This edition of the G.A.S. Fellowship Award is generously supported by Still Earth Holdings and our Residency Patrons.
