In the heart of southern Nigeria, a quiet revolution is taking place. Amidst the verdant fields and gentle hills, two extraordinary artist residencies are nurturing the next generation of creative talents. Founded by the celebrated British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, these retreats offer emerging artists a unique space to grow, experiment, and thrive.
An Artistic Oasis in Ikiṣẹ
Perched atop a hillside near the village of Ikiṣẹ, the G.A.S. Farm House is a haven for artists seeking inspiration and solitude. The earth-brick barn, designed by Lagos-based architects MOE+AA, seamlessly blends into the surrounding landscape of cassava and yam fields. Its tall windows and perforated walls allow natural light to flood the interior, creating an atmosphere of serenity and focus.
For Nigerian-Canadian artist Kosisochukwu Nnebe, the farmhouse has been the ultimate retreat. Each morning, she ventures out to the nearby banana grove to harvest leaves for her chlorophyll printing process. By developing images through photosynthesis, Nnebe creates striking “counter-archives” that challenge official records and amplify subaltern perspectives.
“Besides the whistling of the wind, the intermittent pattering of rain against the roof, the distant sound of machetes cutting through dense plant life on the farm, there is an underlying stillness and quiet that is a welcome and sharp contrast from the chaos of Lagos,” Nnebe reflects.
The farmhouse is not just a space for artistic exploration, but also a working farm. Eleven staff members cultivate crops such as tomatoes, habaneros, bell peppers, maize, and yams using regenerative practices. The produce is sold at the farm gate and in the local village, contributing to the sustainability of the residency and the surrounding community.
A Sister Residency in Lagos
Three hours’ drive from Ikiṣẹ, in the bustling metropolis of Lagos, lies the G.A.S. Foundation’s second residency. Established in 2022, this urban counterpart hosts three artists at a time, providing a dynamic environment for collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas.
“A central ethos of the foundations is for the three artists to comingle and interact with one another in a way that enriches their experience during the residency,” explains Moni Aisida, the executive director at G.A.S.
The Lagos residency has already hosted over 60 artists, fostering a vibrant community of creators from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. By bringing together artists from different parts of Nigeria and beyond, the residency aims to break down barriers and encourage a free flow of ideas and influences.
Nurturing the Next Generation
For Yinka Shonibare, the residencies are more than just spaces for artistic expression. They are part of a broader mission to address issues such as food security, migration, identity, and climate change through the lens of art.
“The farm is in part about addressing food security,” says Belinda Holden, the chief executive officer at the Yinka Shonibare Foundation (Y.S.F.). “It really comes out of Yinka’s practice as an artist. At heart, he’s a political artist, dealing with issues including migration, identity, climate and post-colonial reimaginings.”
By providing young artists with the space, resources, and support to engage with these pressing issues, Shonibare hopes to nurture a new generation of socially engaged creatives who can make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Leaving a Trace
For the artists who have had the privilege of staying at the G.A.S. residencies, the experience has been transformative. Zimbabwean artist Misheck Masamvu, who spent six weeks at the Ikiṣẹ farmhouse, found inspiration in the subtle shifts of the environment, from the birds nesting near the cornfields to the vivid colors of pawpaw leaves.
Nnebe, whose residency at the farmhouse ends in early December, has been asked by the caretaker to make portraits of her family on banana leaves. “There is an excitement at the thought of seeing oneself imprinted on plant life in such a way,” she muses. “I think this is a very human impulse that speaks to our desire to see ourselves reflected in our environment, but also to leave a trace.”
In many ways, this desire to leave a trace lies at the heart of Shonibare’s vision for the residencies. By creating spaces where artists can immerse themselves in their surroundings, experiment with new ideas and techniques, and connect with others who share their passion, he is planting the seeds for a more vibrant, diverse, and socially engaged art world in Nigeria and beyond.
As the G.A.S. residencies continue to grow and evolve, there is no doubt that they will leave an indelible mark on the creative landscape of Africa. For the artists who pass through their doors, they offer not just a temporary retreat, but a gateway to a brighter, more hopeful future – one in which art has the power to transform lives and communities.
