Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation - Lagos & Ijebu
Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation – Lagos & Ijebu, Nigeria
Award-Winning Dual-Site Residency Founded by Yinka Shonibare CBE RA with Fully-Funded Programmes
Overview
Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation is a Nigerian non-profit established in 2019 by eminent British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA to facilitate international cultural exchange and development of creative and research practices through residencies, education, and collaboration. Operating across two sites—an award-winning architectural landmark in Lagos (Oniru, Victoria Island) and a 54-acre working farm in Ikise, Ijebu-Ode (Ogun State)—G.A.S. hosts multidisciplinary artists, researchers, cultural workers, and curators from around the world in awarded residencies of up to three months. With three residents at a time in Lagos, the Foundation prioritizes research and project development without requiring final outcomes, encouraging instead meaningful community engagement through masterclasses, workshops, and knowledge-sharing. Having welcomed 85+ residents by June 2025, G.A.S. combines Yinka Shonibare’s vision of art and social justice with architectural excellence and strategic partnerships including Triangle Network, Finnish Cultural Foundation, and Deutsche Bank’s Project Nexus.
Founder: Yinka Shonibare CBE RA
Artistic Practice & International Recognition
Born: 1962 in London; raised in Lagos from age 3
Based: London and Lagos
Practice: Multi-disciplinary artist whose work explores colonialism and post-colonialism within the context of globalization through:
- Sculpture using Dutch wax fabrics (itself a symbol of cultural hybridity – designed by Dutch, manufactured in Indonesia, sold in West Africa)
- Large-scale installations
- Photography and film
- Painting and drawing
Honors:
- CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire)
- RA (Royal Academician)
- Turner Prize nominee
- Represented at major museums worldwide (Tate, MoMA, Smithsonian, etc.)
Vision for G.A.S. Foundation
“All artists need inspiration. By bringing artists from different parts of the world, there will be room for knowledge sharing and opportunities for our local artists to develop faster and better. This residency will provide the space for that… This is not only artists coming from abroad, but also about us, our Nigerian artists talking and also having the same opportunities.” – Yinka Shonibare
Core Beliefs:
- Relationship between art and social justice
- Combined disciplines of architecture, art, and science contributing to local ecosystems
- Food security and creativity interconnection
- International exchange supporting local artistic development
- Economic impact through cultural direction and exchange
Previous Experience:
Shonibare ran Guest Projects in London for approximately 10 years before establishing G.A.S. Foundation in Nigeria. The Nigerian Foundation serves as extension of original residency programme with focus on establishing critical center in Africa.
Leadership Team
Bimpe Nkontchou – Director, G.A.S. Foundation & Yinka Shonibare Foundation
Temitayo Ogunbiyi – Director, G.A.S. Foundation (also curator)
Belinda Holden – Managing Director, Yinka Shonibare Foundation (UK)
Board of Directors – Esteemed board providing governance and strategic direction
Two-Site Model: Urban Lagos & Rural Farm
G.A.S. Lagos – Oniru, Victoria Island
Location: Oniru district, Victoria Island—close to Lagos’s business and entertainment centers
Architect: Elsie Owusu (Ghanaian-British architect) in collaboration with Nihinlola Shonibare (Nigerian architect)
Architectural Philosophy:
Award-winning design integrating:
Traditional Yoruba Dwelling Principles:
- Communal layout centered around open area called àjà or ilé (compound)
- Central courtyard for performances and gatherings
- Spaces promoting collective interaction
Brutalist Modernism:
- Inspiration from Japanese architect Tadao Ando’s use of raw, unfinished concrete
- Interaction with light and shadow
- Contemporary aesthetic honoring 1960s architectural expressions
- Terrazzo flooring referencing mid-century Nigerian design
Concrete Screen: Wraps around building providing:
- Filtered natural light
- Privacy while maintaining openness
- Distinctive architectural character
- Climate control through shading
Building Configuration:
Ground Floor:
- Multifunctional studio and event space (“The Great Room”)
- Event kitchen for culinary programming and communal cooking
- Spaces arranged around central courtyard used for performances, gatherings, exhibitions
First Floor:
- Accommodation for up to 3 residents
- Shared living spaces promoting interaction
- Private, en-suite bedrooms
- Access to G.A.S. Library and Picton Archive
Second Floor:
- Private residence of Yinka Shonibare CBE RA
Accessibility:
- Exterior ramp ensuring building fully accessible to all visitors and users
- Wheelchair-friendly design
Recognition:
- Featured in Open House Lagos Festival 2022
- Architectural tours highlighting award-winning design
- Model of contemporary Nigerian architecture blending heritage and innovation
G.A.S. Farm House – Ikise, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State
Location: 54-acre working farm on outskirts of Ikise village, neighboring Ijebu-Ode
Architect: Papa Omotayo
Farm Operations:
Agricultural Production:
- Yams and cassava (staple crops)
- Peppers and other vegetables
- Cashews (cash crop)
- Sustainable farming practices
Focus Areas:
- Ecology and environmental systems
- Food security and agricultural innovation
- Rural development through creative practice
- Integration of art, agriculture, and science
Building Design:
- Traditional Nigerian architecture adapted for residency use
- Internal courtyard creating communal gathering space
- Multiple accommodation units
- Studio and working spaces
- Integration with farm landscape
Residency Experience:
Artists at Farm House engage with:
- Agricultural cycles and food production
- Rural Nigerian life and communities
- Environmental and ecological themes
- Materiality of natural and farm resources
- Slower pace contrasting urban Lagos energy
Dual-Site Programming:
Residents may experience both locations during single residency:
- Primarily housed in Lagos with possibility for Farm House time
- Exact lengths agreed with G.A.S. team following award
- Strategic use of two contexts enriching research
G.A.S. Library & Picton Archive
Donation: 2022 from Professor John Picton and Sue Picton
Professor John Picton: Leading scholar of African art, particularly Nigerian and West African visual culture
Collection Scope: Approximately 1,500 volumes covering:
Visual Arts of Sub-Saharan Africa:
- Sculpture
- Masquerade traditions
- Textiles and fiber arts
- Contemporary practices
History and Archaeology:
- Saharan rock art
- African material culture
- Archaeological studies
Diaspora Arts:
- African American arts
- Black British arts
- Transnational Black artistic practices
Status:
Books being digitally catalogued and shipped to Nigeria in batches, housed in purpose-built library cabinets at G.A.S. Lagos as open resource for residents and researchers in Nigeria.
Significance:
- Rare comprehensive African art library in Nigeria
- Research resource often unavailable on continent
- Supporting archival practice and scholarship
- Decolonizing knowledge access (materials in Nigeria rather than only Global North)
Residency Structure & Programming
Duration & Capacity
Length: Up to 3 months (12 weeks maximum)
Capacity: 3 residents at one time in Lagos
Career Stages: Emerging to established practitioners welcomed
Track Record: 85+ residents welcomed by June 2025 (averaging ~30 residents annually)
Three Priority Strands of Inquiry
G.A.S. residencies prioritize three thematic areas:
1. Materiality, Craft, and Identity
Focus: Supporting artists and designers exploring:
- Wide range of materials and techniques
- Practices moving beyond conventional forms
- Drawing on Nigeria’s rich material culture as departure point
- Traditional craft methods in contemporary contexts
- Material culture’s relationship to identity formation
Examples:
- Rafael Edem Kouto (Swiss) – Fashion, design, materiality, circular fashion, traditional Yoruba crafts
- Liz Kobusinge (Uganda) – Eco-printing, painting, memory through textured, layered works
- Xanthe Somers (Zimbabwe) – Hand-coiled ceramics addressing overconsumption, labor, environmental racism
2. Ecology, Food, and Environment
Focus: Critical engagement with:
- Environmental systems through artistic and research-driven practice
- Agricultural systems and food security
- Climate change and ecological crisis
- Sustainability and regenerative practices
- Farm-based research at Ijebu site
Farm House Integration:
- Direct engagement with working 54-acre farm
- Food production cycles and agricultural labor
- Rural ecological systems
- Sustainable practices in action
3. Archives and Publishing
Focus: Centering on:
- Preservation of cultural knowledge
- Interpretation of historical materials
- Circulation of African cultural knowledge
- Publishing and dissemination formats
- G.A.S. Library and Picton Archive as resource
Support for:
- Archival research projects
- Publication development
- Digital archiving methodologies
- Knowledge circulation beyond Western institutions
Research & Practice Development Focus
Philosophy:
“As our residencies focus on research and practice development, we generally do not require a final outcome.”
This Means:
- No mandatory exhibition at residency end
- No required artwork production or donation
- Freedom to experiment without pressure
- Process valued over product
- Thinking time as legitimate outcome
However:
“We encourage residents to think about how they can engage meaningfully with the local community—through masterclasses, workshops, talks, or other forms of knowledge-sharing with students, peers, or the public.”
Community Engagement Contributions:
Activities contribute directly to G.A.S. Foundation’s public programme:
Masterclasses:
- In-depth instruction on techniques, methods, concepts
- Usually 2-4 hour intensive sessions
- For local artists, students, or practitioners
Workshops:
- Hands-on, participatory skill-building
- Material exploration
- Collaborative making
Talks and Presentations:
- Artist talks about practice and research
- Work-in-progress presentations
- Thematic lectures
Knowledge-Sharing:
- Informal conversations and studio visits
- Peer-to-peer exchange with Nigerian artists
- Publication contributions
- Documentation of research
Audiences:
- Students (art schools, universities)
- Peers (local artists and cultural workers)
- Public (Lagos art community and general audiences)
Specific Residency Programmes
G.A.S. Fellowship Award
Partnership: G.A.S. Foundation + Yinka Shonibare Foundation
Part of: Project Nexus – three-year initiative supported by Deutsche Bank empowering artists, art educators, and curators through residencies, workshops, and educational programmes
2025 Edition (Third Annual):
Two fully-funded 6-week residencies:
Residency 1: Visual Fine Artist
Dates: May 5 – June 14, 2025
For: Mid-career visual fine artists whose work actively engages communities and fosters intercultural dialogue
Outcome: Work presented at G.A.S. Lagos
Residency 2: Curator
Dates: June 16 – July 25, 2025
For: Mid-career curators
Proposal: Curatorial concept developed and realized during residency
Outcome: Exhibition or curatorial intervention at G.A.S. Lagos (July 21 – August 15, 2025)
Emphasis: Sensitivity to Lagos’s cultural vibrancy, commitment to audience engagement, rethinking traditional exhibition models for inclusive, participatory experience
Eligibility: Based and actively working on the African continent
What’s Provided:
- Private, en-suite accommodation
- Access to shared studio spaces
- G.A.S. Library and Picton Archive access
- Ongoing production and pastoral support
- Access to transport and security services
- Materials support
- Mentorship opportunities
- Exhibition platform
Mission: Foster artistic excellence and cross-cultural dialogue while strengthening professional development of Africa’s art community
Partnership Residencies
Finnish Cultural Foundation
Duration: 2 months (8 weeks)
Periods: April 6 – May 31; August 24 – October 18
Grant: €5,500 per 2-month residency plus travel grant
For: Finnish visual artists, writers, curators
Primarily: Lagos with possibility for Farm House time
Royal College of Art (RCA) BLK
Partnership: RCA BLK + Yinka Shonibare Foundation + G.A.S.
Spring 2024: Two residencies
- Early/mid-career artist (RCA BLK member)
- Research-based proposal (wider RCA BLK community)
Support: Travel, accommodation, collaboration opportunities, materials, studio access, library access
Triangle Network / TURN2
Focus: Curatorial residencies
Partnership: German Federal Cultural Foundation + ZK/U Berlin + Triangle Network
Exchange: Emerging curators between Germany and Lagos (also Johannesburg, Berlin)
Support: €1,500 monthly stipend, accommodation, technical equipment
Cross-cultural: Sustainable curatorial exchanges
Pro Helvetia (Swiss Arts Council)
Support: Swiss artists and cultural workers
Example: Rafael Edem Kouto exploring circular fashion and Yoruba material culture
Access ART X Prize
Annual award: For emerging artists in Africa and diaspora
Opportunity: Winner receives 3-month residency at G.A.S. Lagos leading up to ART X Lagos fair
Lagos Biennial Partnership
Collaboration: Residencies for artists preparing work for Lagos Biennial
Examples: Raymond Pinto, Nolan Oswald Dennis, Evan Ifekoya – all did preparatory residencies before presenting at 2024 Lagos Biennial
Disciplines Welcomed
Explicitly Stated: “All creative disciplines”
Priority Areas Based on Three Strands:
Visual Fine Arts:
- Painting, drawing, sculpture
- Installation and site-specific work
- Photography and video
- Printmaking
- Mixed media
Design:
- Fashion design (especially sustainable/circular)
- Product design
- Textile design
- Graphic design
- Exploring materiality and craft
Curatorial Practice:
- Exhibition making
- Archival curation
- Community-engaged curating
- Research-based curatorial work
Architecture:
- Spatial practice
- Urban research
- Environmental design
- Vernacular architecture studies
Research & Scholarship:
- Cultural research
- Archival practice
- Academic research with creative components
- Critical writing
Writers:
- Creative writing
- Poetry
- Critical theory
- Cultural criticism
- Publishing
Cultural Workers:
- Arts administrators
- Educators
- Community organizers
- Cultural practitioners
Interdisciplinary:
- Practices crossing multiple categories
- Hybrid forms
- Experimental methodologies
Particularly Welcomed:
Artists and researchers whose work has geographical or thematic links to:
- Nigeria
- West Africa
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Materiality and Nigerian craft traditions
- Ecology and food systems
- Colonial/postcolonial histories
- Diaspora experiences
- Archives and cultural memory
Application Process & Selection
No Single Standardized Application
Access varies by programme:
G.A.S. Fellowship Award
Announced: Annual open calls via website and social media
Recent Deadline: Varies (check http://www.guestartistsspace.com)
Required Materials:
- CV
- Portfolio (photographs of selected works)
- Artist statement or curatorial statement
- Overview of practice
- Brief project proposal indicating how residency would benefit creative development
- Can submit in written format (500 words) or 3-minute video clip
Selection: By committee/jury
Partnership Programmes
Finnish Cultural Foundation:
Application through SKR website when calls open (typically August)
RCA BLK:
Through RCA BLK membership and selection process
TURN2:
Through Triangle Network and partner institutions
Access ART X Prize:
Through ART X Lagos fair application
Direct Inquiry
Email: info@guestartistsspace.com
For:
- General questions about programmes
- Exploring partnership opportunities
- Future residency possibilities
- Research access to library
Monitoring:
- Website: http://www.guestartistsspace.com (News section for announcements)
- Social media: Follow G.A.S. Foundation on Instagram, LinkedIn
- Mailing list: Subscribe for open call notifications
Financial Structure
Non-Profit Model
G.A.S. Foundation operates through:
Funding Sources:
- Yinka Shonibare Foundation (UK charity) providing strategic and fundraising support
- Generous donations from individuals and institutions
- Partnerships with galleries (Goodman Gallery, etc.)
- Cultural institutions (Finnish Cultural Foundation, RCA, etc.)
- Corporate support (Deutsche Bank through Project Nexus)
- Foundations and arts councils (Pro Helvetia, German Federal Cultural Foundation, etc.)
Artist Costs:
Awarded Residencies = Fully Funded
What Artists Typically Receive:
- Accommodation (private, en-suite room)
- Studio access
- Library and archive access
- Basic materials support (varies by programme)
- Production support
- Transport (varies – some partnerships include)
- Security services
- Pastoral care
What Artists Typically Pay:
- International flights (except when covered by partnership)
- Visa fees (unless covered by specific grant)
- Personal expenses beyond basics
- Additional materials beyond provided support
- Travel insurance
Partnership-Specific Support:
- Finnish Cultural Foundation: €5,500 grant + travel
- TURN2: €1,500/month + accommodation + travel
- RCA BLK: Travel + accommodation + materials
- G.A.S. Fellowship: Fully funded including production support
Philosophy:
Residencies are awarded, not sold—ensuring access based on merit and fit rather than financial capacity, democratizing international residency opportunities.
What Makes G.A.S. Foundation Unique
Founder’s International Standing:
- Established by renowned artist with global recognition
- Yinka Shonibare’s networks and credibility
- Continuation of 10-year London residency experience
Architectural Excellence:
- Award-winning Lagos building
- Yoruba + Brutalist fusion
- Designed by leading architects
- Architectural destination in its own right
Dual-Site Model:
- Urban Lagos + rural farm
- Complementary contexts within single residency
- City cultural dynamism + agricultural/ecological immersion
Three Clear Strands:
- Materiality, Craft, Identity
- Ecology, Food, Environment
- Archives, Publishing
- Focused yet flexible framework
Research Emphasis:
- No required outcomes
- Process valued over product
- Academic rigor welcomed
- Thinking time legitimized
Picton Archive:
- Rare comprehensive African art library in Nigeria
- 1,500 volumes on continent
- Decolonizing knowledge access
- Research resource for all residents
Strategic Partnerships:
- Triangle Network (global reach)
- Deutsche Bank, Finnish Cultural Foundation (substantial funding)
- RCA BLK (UK art school connection)
- Lagos Biennial (local impact)
Community Integration:
- Lagos art scene engagement
- Knowledge-sharing emphasized
- Public programme enrichment
- Local and international exchange
Track Record:
- 85+ residents in ~6 years
- Established reputation
- Impact Report documentation
- Sustainable growth
Social Justice Vision:
- Art’s relationship to social justice
- Inclusive access (awarded residencies)
- Supporting African artists alongside international
- Economic impact through culture
Lagos Context
Nigeria’s Cultural Capital:
Lagos as dynamic megacity (21+ million people) offering:
Art Scene:
- ART X Lagos (major annual art fair)
- Lagos Biennial
- Numerous galleries (Terra Kulture, Rele Gallery, Nubuke Foundation, etc.)
- Museum collections
- Growing collector base
- International attention to Nigerian contemporary art
Cultural Vibrancy:
- Nollywood film industry
- Music scenes (Afrobeats, hip-hop, traditional)
- Fashion and design innovation
- Literary community
- Performance and theatre
Oniru, Victoria Island Location:
- Business district proximity
- Entertainment venues nearby
- Beaches and Atlantic Ocean
- Mixed residential/commercial area
- Accessible to Lagos mainland and islands
Challenges & Opportunities:
- Traffic congestion requiring patience and planning
- Power infrastructure (generators common)
- Security considerations (G.A.S. provides guidance and support)
- Vibrant, fast-paced urban energy
- Creative innovation born from resourcefulness
- Warmth and hospitality of Nigerian culture
Past & Current Residents (Selection)
Visual Artists:
- Liz Kobusinge (Uganda) – Eco-printing, painting, memory work
- Shabu Mwangi (Kenya) – Visual artist
- Ayotunde Ojo (Nigeria) – Painter exploring human relationships
- Raymond Pinto (USA) – Multidisciplinary, performance, Lagos Biennial participant
- Nolan Oswald Dennis (South Africa) – Visual artist, Lagos Biennial pavilion designer
- Evan Ifekoya (UK) – Artist, Lagos Biennial participant
Design & Material Culture:
- Xanthe Somers (Zimbabwe) – Ceramic artist, hand-coiled works
- Rafael Edem Kouto (Switzerland) – Fashion, design, circular fashion research
Architecture & Spatial Practice:
- Remi Kuforiji (UK/Nigeria) – Architect, spatial practitioner, performance and cartography
Research & Curatorial:
- Various curators through TURN2 and other programmes
Contact & Application
Guest Artists Space Foundation
Lagos: Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Farm: Ikise Village, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria
Email: info@guestartistsspace.com
Website: http://www.guestartistsspace.com
Social Media:
LinkedIn: Guest Artists Space Foundation
Instagram: @guestartistsspace
(Check for open call announcements)
Yinka Shonibare Foundation (UK):
Website: yinkashonibarefoundation.com
To Apply / Inquire:
- Monitor website News section for open calls
- Follow social media for announcements
- Subscribe to mailing list if available
- Check partnership websites:
- Finnish Cultural Foundation (for Finnish artists)
- RCA BLK (for RCA community)
- Triangle Network (for TURN2)
- Access ART X (for prize residency)
- Email directly with inquiry about fit and upcoming opportunities
- Prepare strong materials:
- Professional CV
- Portfolio documenting recent work
- Clear project proposal connecting to G.A.S. strands
- Artist/researcher statement
- Explanation of interest in Lagos/Nigeria context
Questions to Ask:
- Current and upcoming open calls
- Specific strand alignment with your practice
- Lagos vs. Farm House programming
- Material and technical support available
- Community engagement expectations
- Partnership opportunities for your institution
- Library access for researchers
- Timeline from application to residency
Experience Lagos’s dynamic contemporary art scene and Nigeria’s rich cultural traditions through a residency that combines architectural excellence, focused research strands, comprehensive support, and the vision of one of Africa’s most celebrated contemporary artists—where process matters more than product, where archives decolonize knowledge, and where art, ecology, and social justice converge in award-winning spaces designed for creative exchange and cultural transformation.